By Nisa Dari
Mirror, mirror on the wall – was Loughborough Town Hall’s panto the fairest of them all?
The Leicestershire venue’s crowd-pleasing production of Snow White is in the mix for four awards at the panto world’s equivalent of the Oscars – and it’s the only Midlands show on the shortlist for the coveted Best Pantomime gong.
The upcoming National Pantomime Awards also handed a hattrick of nominations to the cast of Snow White. Cara Dudgeon, as The Wicked Queen, is in the running for Best Villain. Matthew Siveter’s Cilla Bang has earned him a nod in the Christopher Biggins award for Best Dame category. Emma Robertson (Snow White) is up for Best Newcomer to the Industry.
Judges from the UK Pantomime Association criss-crossed the country to cast their eyes over a festive feast of slapstick, daft songs, goodies, baddies and delirious dames, and the odd innuendo for the adults in the crowds.
Their nominations cement a growing reputation for Loughborough’s annual offering, delivered by Derbyshire-based panto powerhouse Little Wolf Entertainment.
Simon Gibson, venue manager at Loughborough Town Hall, said: “Our pantomime has become a cherished tradition for Loughborough audiences, and we’re thrilled to see Snow White receive such well-deserved recognition. These nominations celebrate the passion and talent that go into making our productions so special, and we’re already busy planning this year’s festive fun.”
The winners of the Pantomime Awards 2025 will be announced at a ceremony at New Victoria Theatre, Woking, on Sunday, April 13. Simon Sladen, chair of the UK Pantomime Association, said: “These shortlists demonstrate the pantomime industry’s exciting array of talent across the country. We can’t wait to celebrate pantomime excellence in April, and to honour all the hard work of everyone who made panto season 2024/2025 such a great success.”
Loughborough’s panto for 2025/26 season will be Cinderella. It runs from Saturday, November 22 to Sunday, January 4. Book tickets here.
