A CAMP, CHAOTIC AND JOYFUL DRAG PANTO THAT KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Snow White at the Emerald Theatre is not here to convert you to pantomime. It assumes you already know the deal. Better still, it knows that traditional panto is not for everyone. Give me drag panto any day, and TuckShop absolutely understand that audience. This is their fifth all drag pantomime, and it shows. The confidence is there from the first moment, and the joy never lets up.

This was my second TuckShop panto, after seeing Peter Pan last year. I took my Mum with me then, and she was my plus one once again. It instantly felt familiar in tone. The crowd was ready. The cast was ready-ish. And from the first few minutes, you could feel the joy pouring off the stage. Not the polite kind. The messy, genuine kind where everyone is in on the joke.

FAMILIAR FACES, BIG PERSONALITIES, AND DRAG EXCELLENCE

As a long time Drag Race fan, the familiar faces added an extra layer of excitement. Kate Butch was a huge draw for me, and she did not disappoint. There is such an ease to her performance and knowing she co-wrote the show made complete sense. The humour feels natural and confident. Kitty Scott Claus is brilliant as Fairy Hanny, delivering camp comedy with perfect timing. And Tayris Mongardi brings warmth and charm as Snow White.

Kyran Thrax as the Wicked Queen is a standout. The role feels made for her. Big presence, sharp delivery, and a transformation into the old crone that had the audience howling. A very rogue Ed Sheeran gag landed even harder thanks to a front row lookalike, which only made her reaction funnier. She owns every moment and commands the stage with ease.

Yshee Black returns as the Magic Mirror and brings relentless energy. There is something deliciously unpredictable about her, and you never quite know what she will say next. The running jokes around her green outfit and the so-called postproduction effects became funnier each time. Ophelia Love once again returns as Villager No 4 and squeezes comedy out of every appearance. Her first interaction with Fairy Hanny had me laughing instantly.

WHEN CHAOS HITS AND THE CAST JUST RUNS WITH IT

Sophia Stardust was a joy to watch, even when things went wrong. A lost wig and a falling skirt did not stop her for a second. She acknowledged it, made a joke, and just cracked on. Tiana Biscuit was my biggest surprise of the night. Briefly introduced in act one, then unleashed in act two with enormous energy. Big presence, huge laughs, and a Celine Dion moment that completely broke the room. Even the cast struggled to keep it together.

Oliver Clothezoff as the Prince was a fun addition, and the dancers Leo Udvarlaky and Zach Parkin brought real skill and playful energy. I was especially excited to see Udvarlaky after seeing them in The Diana Mixtape. I did feel that Snow and the Prince were slightly overshadowed. Not bad by any means, just that they were surrounded by absolute scene stealers and big personalities.

The production itself leans into its rough edges. Cardboard props, fluffed lines, cast laughter, moments that clearly were not meant to happen, and a joke around all the budget being spent on Kyran. All of it adds to the charm. This is not trying to be slick or perfect. It is trying to be funny, inclusive, and fun. And it succeeds.

FILTHY HUMOUR, POP CULTURE AND ZERO APOLOGIES

There are pop culture references everywhere. Drag Race, Jet2, EastEnders, and plenty more. The language is filthy, unapologetic, and absolutely not for the easily offended. Songs are a mix of live vocals and rewritten classics, with the emphasis firmly on entertainment rather than perfection.

Snow White at Emerald Theatre London is the kind of panto that reminds you why drag and this format work so well together. It’s camp, chaotic, and bursting with personality. The camaraderie is infectious, and the audience is very much part of it. If you are looking for polish, look elsewhere. If you want drag joy, silliness, and a room full of laughter, this one delivers in spades.

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Photo Credit: Harry Elletson