Berkshire

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-3.jpg" alt="Potted Panto Reading Rep Theatre image credit Harry Elletson" class="wp-image-58390" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-3-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-3-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



All set for a month of it&#8217;s behind yous, princesses, charming princes and snuffing out baddies (fairytales are dark)? Then buckle up for a bonkers, silly and pix n mix panto that&#8217;s perfect for the TikTok generation with the attention span of a gold fish or want to be propping up the cocktail bar before last orders.



Potted Panto&#8216;s the longest-running West End, Olivier Award-nominated panto and it&#8217;s rocked up at <a href="https://www.readingrep.com/potted-panto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reading Rep Theatre</a> (quite the coup). Far from being a juggernaut of a production there are just two performers, acting all the parts (with great hilarity and creativity, I might add), performing seven beloved Christmas tales and you&#8217;re done and dusted in 70 minutes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-8.jpg" alt="Potted Panto Reading Rep Theatre image credit Harry Elletson" class="wp-image-58395" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-8.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-8-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



From Cinderella to Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin to Dick Whittington – this might not be a traditional thigh slapper you’re used to, but it’s the pantomime you need in your life, because it&#8217;s funny. Very, very funny – so prepare to laugh until it hurts.



Potted Panto has been a part of the West End Christmas furniture since 2010 – and it has a fringe theatre vibe to it. Written by Dan Clarkson, Jeff Turner and Richard Hurst, it was up to Eugene Evans and Charlotte Warner to make the magic happen on Reading Rep&#8217;s small but intimate stage. The set design is simple with an illuminated arch creating a snow globe effect that frames each panto scene and vintage sign posts at the sides of the stage literally point the audience in the direction of storytelling travel. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-7.jpg" alt="Potted Panto Reading Rep Theatre image credit Harry Elletson" class="wp-image-58394" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-7-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-7-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



By far the strongest element of Potted Panto is Charlie and Eugene’s on-stage dynamic. Easy back-and-forth banter and Eugene&#8217;s interpretation of King Rat, the Sheikh, the seven dwarfs, the Moose that laid the gold egg (yup, not a typo) and Prince Charming (huzzah!) are pure comic genius. 



Charlie attempts to keep things on track while Eugene (with his hypnotic northern Irish accent) foils him with slapstick silliness, costume fails, and saucy jokes. The apparent mayhem on stage is beautifully choreographed, and Charlie and Eugene have exceptional timing.



If you&#8217;re not into audience participation, there are very few hiding places in this bijou theatre, but I loved the water pistols, sing-a-long, the children dishing out punishments and particularly Sam&#8217;s stage debut. He gamely took to the stage with Prince Charming, was crowned Princess Sam and revealed his very best dance moves. Sam will be dining out on that story for a few weeks. LOVED IT!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson.jpg" alt="Potted Panto Reading Rep Theatre image credit Harry Elletson" class="wp-image-58396" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



It&#8217;s a family-friendly show – great if you struggle to keep loved ones little and large pinned to their red velvet seat for 2.5hrs. As with any traditional panto, there’s plenty of warm and fuzzy familiarity, including the Ghost scene, it&#8217;s behind yous, men in dresses and pop culture references. But it feels really modern and a fun change of pace from traditional productions.



At just 70 minutes, Potted Panto is about the right length. A couple of the gags dragged on a beat too long, but overall it’s fast-paced, engaging and the cool twists on some of the traditional characters was hilarious. Big up the costume department, they excelled themselves.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-4.jpg" alt="Potted Panto Reading Rep Theatre image credit Harry Elletson" class="wp-image-58391" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-4-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Potted-Panto-Reading-Rep-Theatre-image-credit-Harry-Elletson-4-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</h2>



Good for: Anyone wanting to dip their toe into panto without the time commitment or looking for an contemporary twist on the classic genre. It&#8217;s fun, fast-paced and very funny. 



Not for: Traditionalists. If there&#8217;s a particular panto you love, the heavy edit of the fairytale may leave you feeling a little cheated. 



Potted Panto at Reading Rep Theatre, Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LY is on until 31 Dec 2023. <a href="https://www.readingrep.com/potted-panto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book tickets here</a>.

Review: Potted Panto at Reading Rep Theatre

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