What’s On reviewer Jessica Clixby racked up six panto visits in three weeks this year, all around the region - including three dreamy renditions of Sleeping Beauty... 

Mulling over just how many delightful dames, flying custard pies and groan-worthy jokes she and other What's On reviewers enjoy every Christmas, Jess has put together her personal Panto Awards to round off the season. 

And that’s not all. This evening, What's On will review Birmingham Hippodrome's Robin Hood, in which favourites Matt Slack and Andrew Ryan are joined by Gok Wan, Faye Tozer and special guest star Christopher Biggins, to cause panto mischief in Sherwood Forest. Watch this space - our review will be published tomorrow morning. 

Here is Jess' Pick of the Pantos, for 2025... Oh yes it is! Click the links below to read the full reviews. 

BEST PANTO: Sleeping Beauty at the Wolverhampton Grand 

“A riot of garish glitter, stunning spectacle and healthy dose of holiday hilarity” - this year’s ‘baddie’, Danny Beard as Carabosse (pictured above) was born for a life of Panto villainy!

BEST DAME: David Phipps-Davis in Stafford Gatehouse’s Sleeping Beauty

“Nurse Nora can’t go five minutes without a spectacular costume change”. David Phipps-Davis demonstrates what being a dame is all about - and even finds time for an impressive rendition of Nessun Dorma.

BEST SLOSH: The Belgrade Theatre, and Coventry’s very own Sleeping Beauty (pictured above)

“All the ingredients of a classic pantomime are present and correct, with a special Belgrade twist”, and a slosh scene like no other - Cake decorating vs Curling!

SONG OF THE SEASON: A Thousand Years 

A panto classic, originally sung by Christina Perri, this was a yearning duet for the prince and princess in almost every show…

BEST NON-PANTO: The BFG at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (pictured below)

“A jaw-dropping adaptation of a Roald Dahl classic”, which helped to solidify Jess’ love of spectacular, super-sized puppetry.

All the productions listed above achieved top rating, but they’re not the only ones - here is a selection of other five star Pantos and festive productions from Midlands venues, to help you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year…

CINDERELLA at The Regent Theatre, reviewed by Carol Lovatt: “the perfect Christmas pantomime to see with the whole family”

CINDERELLA at the Lichfield Garrick, reviewed by Jessica Clixby: “the whole play sparkles with festive cheer”

DICK WHITTINGTON at Theatre Severn, reviewed by Chris Eldon Lee: “somehow each year's show seems even better than the last”

If panto isn’t up your street, don’t fret - there’s plenty of other top-rated productions to suit all tastes…

THE LITTLE MERMAID at the New Vic Theatre (pictured below), reviewed by Chris Eldon Lee: “a feast of graceful movement, brilliant light and soulful music”

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at The Alexandra, reviewed by Rachel Smith: “a treat for the eyes and for the ears from beginning to end”

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS at The Rep, reviewed by Jessica Clixby: “a sparkling production, which is visually stunning and full of big laughs”