With opening night fast approaching, excitement is building in Ilkley as Upstagers prepare to bring their brand-new pantomime Snow White to the stage at the King’s Hall this January.
In the run-up to the show, the cast recently took to the streets of Ilkley in full costume, meeting shoppers and local businesses at the town’s popular Real Food Market and spreading a little fairy-tale magic around the town centre. Snow White and Prince Charming were seen outside Bettys Café Tea Rooms on what they claimed was a “royal strategy meeting”, though witnesses report there were cream teas and cake involved, but absolutely no singing…yet! Other cast members posed outside The King’s Hall Theatre, giving locals a sneak peek of the colour, characters, and comedy heading their way. Fortunately, no poisoned apples were spotted despite the Wicked Queen being present!
Now in their 39th year of pantomime in Ilkley, Upstagers will present ten performances of Snow White between Friday 23rd and Saturday 31st January 2026, including a mix of evening shows and family-friendly matinees.
A timeless story loved by generations, this fresh new version has been written in-house by the Upstagers creative team, blending classic pantomime tradition with modern, laugh-out-loud twists.
Co-Director John Clark said:
“This show is going to be something really special. Every year we try to raise the bar, and honestly, just wait until you see what we have in store for audiences this time. Snow White is packed with big laughs, brilliant characters, fantastic music and all the magic people expect from an Upstagers panto. We can’t wait to finally share it with Ilkley.”
At the heart of the show is the classic fairy tale we all know and love, but with an Upstagers twist. Snow White follows the journey of a kind-hearted heroine trying to stay one step ahead of a gloriously wicked Queen who will stop at nothing to remain the “fairest of them all”. As the Queen’s plans grow darker, Snow White is forced into hiding, where she encounters a world of comic chaos, unexpected friendships and a Prince who is about to discover that being charming doesn’t automatically make you a hero. With magic, mayhem, and mischief around every corner and a certain suspicious apple waiting in the wings, the stakes rise fast. Will Snow White see danger coming in time, or will the Queen finally get what she wants? That, of course, is where the audience comes in…
Audiences can expect everything that makes British pantomime such a joy. Laugh-out-loud slapstick comedy, toe-tapping musical numbers, dazzling costumes, glorious boos and cheers and plenty of opportunities to join in the fun. Behind the scenes, the cast and production team are working hard to ensure another high-quality show fills the King’s Hall stage. As always, the production is created and performed entirely by local volunteers, supported by the high production values for which Upstagers has become so well known.
Tickets for Snow White start from £12 and are available via: www.upstagers.org.uk/boxoffice, 0333 666 3366 or email boxoffice@upstagers.org.uk
Founded in 1987, Upstagers has been entertaining Ilkley audiences for nearly four decades, with pantomime firmly established as a highlight of the town’s cultural calendar. Many audience members who once attended as children now return year after year with their own families, a tradition the group is proud to continue.
With opening night just around the corner, audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing out on this magical family treat.
[2025 Upstagers panto - Dick Whittington]
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