Film & Theatre, Reviews | Posted on December 15th, 2025 | return to news

Best Ever Christmas Panto

Minster Theatre, Allendale Centre, Wimborne

Review by Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

The heart-warming sound of children laughing, shouting out and generally engaging with the action is what pantos are all about. And this one has it in spades.

Edward Brennan, who has numerous professional performances to his credit, is a very polished, slightly camp baddie as Jack Frost. Animated and sinister, he is a vision in silver.

The ‘children’s friend’ character is so important, and here Toby Batt doesn’t disappoint as Jangle the Elf, who has all the members of the audience on his side from the very beginning. He teams well with Dani Tomblin as Jingle the sensible Elf.

It is clear to see why Claire Goldsmith is a coach at local performing arts schools, as her voice soars above the stage and out into the audience in all her numbers.

Many panto groups do a scene entitled ‘If I were Not Upon the Stage’ and this company’s version is incredibly skilled with split-timing precision.

And of course, Father Christmas just plays himself!

To add to the colour and fun, there are some very accomplished juvenile and senior dancers from Footlight Performance Academy’s Born2Perform class.

Producer Ron Martin, director and writer Nina Thompson, and choreographer and musical director Leanne Dade should all be complemented on this fun production that also had the adults smiling.

It runs until 24 December. Tickets available from the Allendale Centre or online: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/wimborne/allendale-centre/best-ever-christmas-panto/e-pqdkye.