By Keeley Hussain
De Montfort Hall’s Christmas pantomime Dick Whittington attracted enthusiastic audiences this festive season, with organisers describing the response as “phenomenal” following the show’s return to the Leicester venue.
The production followed the traditional story of Dick Whittington and his cat Boots with the combination of slapstick comedy, music, dance, and audience participation.
The return marked the first time Dick Whittington had been performed at the venue since 2013, making it a standout moment in this year’s festive programme.
A representative for De Montfort Hall said the reaction from the audience had exceeded expectations.
“The response from audiences so far has been phenomenal,” they said.
“The show itself and the cast are fabulous and have gelled well, and this really comes across on stage.”
Audience feedback reflected that enthusiasm, with many praising the production’s humour and energy.
Comments described the pantomime as “brilliant” and “so funny,” while others highlighted the venue itself, saying the show reminded them “what an amazing venue De Montfort Hall is.”
This year’s pantomime also featured several notable firsts.
The representative explained that Dick Whittington had not been staged at the hall since the return of pantomime over a decade ago, while Jared Christmas stepped into the title role after appearing in Leicester pantomimes for the previous four years.
“This year he takes on the titular role of Dick Whittington, which is a new and exciting direction for the character,” they said, adding that it allowed him to move beyond a purely comedic role.
Another unique addition was the introduction of a beatboxing Boots the Cat, described by organisers as a first for the venue, which brought a modern twist to the traditional format.
The enduring appeal of pantomime was also highlighted by the representative, who said its importance lay in shared experience and family tradition.
“It’s a family tradition,” they said.
“Older generations came to see panto when they were children, and they have kept that tradition going with their own families. You cannot beat the experience of spending a few hours together laughing and having fun.”
They also noted that pantomime’s accessibility played a key role in its success.
“Pantomimes are open and accessible to all and have a wider appeal than most other types of performances,” the representative said, pointing to audience interaction and humour that works for all ages.
Behind the scenes, months of preparation went into staging the production.
Organisers said extensive planning was needed, from set and costume design to rehearsals and technical work.
On performance days, more than 20 crew members worked backstage to ensure the show ran smoothy, alongside cast members and front-of-house staff.
The pantomime also supported local talent, with junior ensemble members gaining experience performing in a professional production.
The representative said this made panto an important introduction to theatre for young people, helping to inspire future performers.
As Dick Whittington ended, De Montfort Hall’s latest pantomime reinforced the continued popularity of festive theatre in Leicester, bringing families together and keeping a long-standing Christmas tradition alive.
Photo credit: Nicola Young.