REVIEW: WICKED WITCHES - A POPULAR PANTO FOR ADULTS! @ THE PLEASANCE

🎭 Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto For Adults!

📍 The Pleasance, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London, N7 9EF

🗓 Thursday 20th November 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A HILARIOUS AND HEARTFELT CELEBRATION

What a privilege it was to catch an evening at the theatre that was so unapologetically joyous. With a wicked wink and more glitter than a disco ball convention, WICKED WITCHES: A POPULAR PANTO FOR ADULTS! is a high-octane homage to community, acceptance, and sheer, fabulous fun. The Pleasance and The Vaults have truly conjured a five-star spell that will leave you cackling all the way home!

It's not often a fringe show feels this powerful, yet writer-director Shane ShayShay Konno has delivered a true powerhouse production. This isn'y just panto, it's a queer-positive family affair, where family is the one you choose.

The script is nimble, packed with witty gags, lots of innuendo, and lashings of heart. The story, which sees non-binary protagonist Dor return to Oz-lington feels both fresh and warmly familiar.

The cast is simply divine. Gigi Zahir as the Wicked Witch is a sensational drag performer who completely owns the stage, while Eleanor Burke as the Good Witch is equally brilliant. Their on-stage chemistry crackles with energy, bringing the feuding pair to life with comedic flair.

I loved how their roles shifted throughout the production, with the audience booing the Wicked Witch in act 1, and the Good Witch in act 2!

Ro Suppa as Dor (or Dorothey!) explodes onto the stage with lots of energy and spunk and is a pure joy to behold. I especially enjoyed how they dealt with unsolicited shouting out from the audience.

Lew Ray's Tin is gloriously sassy and fabulous, while Nic McDuff was cute and funny as Scarecrow.

And the cameos were a sensation. Sir Ian McKellen as Toto, a washed-up rock star dog, is pure genius. -with his "You shall not bark" line being a favourite, while seeing Jeremy Corbyn promise magic and actually deliver it as the Wizard of Oz-lington is a particular treat. These on-screen moments are some of the best curated I have ever seen, and added an extra sprinkle of stardust to an already flawless evening.

If you're looking for a night out that will have you laughing, singing, and blowing bubbles, then this is the panto for you. This is London fringe theatre at its finest - bold, brilliant, and bursting with life.

Head to the Pleasance this Christmas and give yourself the gift of pure panto perfection. Click here for tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto For Adults! was gifted by Chloe Nelkin Consulting who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Gigi Zahir as Wicked Witch; Eleanor Burke as Good Witch; Lew Ray as Tin 2.0; Ro Suppa as Dor; Nic MacDuff as Scarecrow; Jeremy Corbyn as Wizard of Oz-lington; Sir Ian McKellan as Toto

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

strong language; Loud, sudden music; Bright lights; Innuendo; Use of fog and haze; Threats of violence; Sexual references

AGE GUIDELINES:

Strictly 18 + (Family friendly version also available)

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