Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Southend panto 2026: Snow White at the Cliffs Pavilion

Shane Richie and Faye Tozer star in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Christmas 2026 pantomime at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea, running from Saturday 12 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 in the Main Auditorium. It is staged by Crossroads Pantomimes, the team behind recent Cliffs Pavilion Christmas successes including last year's Jack and the Beanstalk.

The story and what to expect

Mirror, mirror, on the wall: the Wicked Queen cannot bear that Snow White is the fairest of them all. With a magical mirror, the magnificent seven, Muddles, Nurse Nelly and the Prince on the case, everyone must work together to outwit the Wicked Queen and let love prevail. Expect comedy, song and dance numbers, costumes and scenery, and plenty of audience participation in a festive treat for all ages.

Cast

Shane Richie plays Muddles, returning to the Cliffs Pavilion panto for the first time in 14 years. His theatre credits include Grease in the West End and Manchester, Boogie Nights, a sellout UK tour of Scrooge and both Hugo and Loco Chanelle in Everybody's Talking About Jamie, and he is one quarter of The Prat Pack. He says the venue always gives him a warm welcome.

Faye Tozer plays the Wicked Queen. Best known as part of Steps, she has starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tell Me On A Sunday and Singin' in the Rain at Sadler's Wells, toured in Mean Girls The Musical and reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.

Samuel Holmes plays the Man in the Mirror, Iain Stuart Robertson plays Nurse Nelly, Emily Beth Harrington plays Snow White and Javai James plays the Prince.

Dates and times

The run opens on Saturday 12 December 2026 at 2pm and closes on Sunday 3 January 2027. Known times include 7pm on Saturday 2 January and 5pm on Sunday 3 January, and schools performances on Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 December at 2pm. Other times vary by day.

Who is it for (age guidance and running time)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is billed as a festive treat for all ages, with a villain to boo and a magic mirror. Formal age guidance and the running time are to be announced by the venue. Family tickets for four, which need at least two under 16s, are offered on Standard performances and selected others.

Accessible and relaxed performances

The relaxed performance is on Thursday 31 December 2026 at 11am. BSL interpreted, captioned and audio described performances have not yet been listed and are to be announced by the venue.

A Cliffs Pavilion Christmas tradition

Crossroads Pantomimes has staged recent Cliffs Pavilion pantomimes, and chief executive Michael Harrison points to the spectacle and comedy that the Cliffs Pavilion panto is known for. Incoming venue director Oliver Stacey calls it the highlight of the Southend and Essex festive season.

Getting to the Cliffs Pavilion

The Cliffs Pavilion is on Station Road, Southend-on-Sea SS0 7RA, about a 10 minute walk from Westcliff station, with a bus stop outside and a pay and display car park.