It may only be summer, but preparations are already underway at Oxford Playhouse for the city’s favourite festive pantomime.

This year, Oxford audiences are invited to meet a fresh band of characters as The Playhouse premieres a new pantomime title on its stage with the magical production of Snow White. The iconic Playhouse pantomime will be directed, for the first time, by Mike Tweddle, the theatre’s Artistic Director, with writer Sarah Henley bringing the adventure to life for the whole family.

Also onboard for his first Playhouse pantomime is Grammy-nominated musician Caolan McCarthy, who joins the team as Composer & Arranger.

Following last year’s acclaimed Britpop-inspired spectacle, the venue welcomes back Bronia Housman as Set Designer, Immy Howard as Costume Designer, Chris Humphries as Sound Designer, Will Hayman as Lighting Designer, Emily Scott as Choreographer, and Augustine Van Spyk as Assistant Sound Designer.

Paul Simpson joins the team as Associate Director, with Jo Woodcock returning as Production Manager, James Thearle as Head of Production & Master Carpenter, Bart Thiede as Musical Director, and Sarah-Jane Price as Casting Director.

Mike Tweddle, Artistic Director and CEO of Oxford Playhouse, said:

"I'm beyond excited to direct my first pantomime and collaborate with this stellar team. Sarah Henley is one of the funniest, cleverest and most generous writers around. She's combined all the highlights of this much-loved tale with some wonderful new ideas and characters. The Oxford Playhouse panto is the most important show we make, and I can't wait for audiences to feel just how funny and fierce the story of Snow White can be!"

On writing her first pantomime for Oxford Playhouse, Sarah Henley said:

"I'm delighted to be making my Oxford Playhouse panto debut this year, with a Snow White that's full of laughter, music, mayhem and magic. We've taken a classic fairy tale and given it a fresh take, creating a world of rebellious eco-warriors, a highly glamorous villain and one extremely scene-stealing pig. Packed with audience participation, comedy and plenty of heart, I can't wait to share the story with Oxford audiences this Christmas."

This pantomime is led by Oxford Playhouse’s in-house producers Leah O’Grady and Katy Snelling. The stage management team is formed of Lara Paul, Helen Woods and Louisa Higham.

In this year’s story, the Panto Award-winning venue invites audiences to join Snow on a magical journey through the enchanted West Oxford Wood.

Standing in her way is the image-obsessed Queen Narcissa, whose hunger for power and endless admiration fuels her contempt for the natural world. When the glamorous queen discovers a magical resource that preserves her beauty, she becomes determined to mine every last piece from the forest.

With the help of some unlikely friends she meets along the way, Snow must outwit the queen and restore balance to the natural world.

Bursting with magic, mischief, and music, the production also places Oxford at the centre of its story. As always, The Playhouse will welcome local 11 to 15-year-olds who will form its Panto Young Company, and this year over 60 professional Oxfordshire actors auditioned as part of a local call out. Casting will be announced later this summer.

Taking inspiration from the forest, The Playhouse is also keeping sustainability at the heart of the production, with much of last year’s Dick Whittington set being reused and transformed into a new enchanting spectacle for Snow White.

Get your tickets now for Oxford’s biggest pantomime, Snow White, running at The Playhouse from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.