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Aladdin 2025 on sale following bestselling Snow White at Chelmsford Theatre

The curtain may have just closed on Chelmsford Theatre’s 2024 panto, Snow White, but the theatre is already looking towards Christmas 2025 with its next panto, Aladdin, now on sale.  

Aladdin Eshot

The annual panto is the biggest event in Chelmsford Theatre’s calendar and is a vital income generator for the year. Snow White, which closed on Sunday 5 January after a five-week run, did not disappoint and performed spectacularly to the delight of audiences. 

Chelmsford Theatre’s Snow White praised by audiences and critics 

Cast And Crew
The cast and crew of Snow White pose for a photo after the last show of the run.

The bold reinvention of the traditional Snow White fairy tale saw the title character cast as the hero, while the bumbling prince was tricked into eating the Wicked Queen’s poisoned apple. Co-written by Chelmsford’s regular dame, Neil Bromley, and Tony Casement, the story was highly popular with audiences. In surveys 90% agreed this year’s panto was good value for money, while 85% said that they would return again next year. 

“The Panto was amazing! All of the cast were incredible, the singing, the dancing, everything was so good, and I was laughing so much during it! Thank you!!”

Audience member

“Great fun for all age groups. Uplifting experience.”

Audience member

“What a fantastic panto, excellent performers, production and staging. We all loved it and will be back next year”

Audience member

Local critics also gave the Chelmsford Theatre production strong praise, with BBC Essex’s Sonia Watson calling it “absolutely brilliant” while Ovation Radio said it was “modern retelling oozing with everything you could ever need from a pantomime”.  

LOWRES 267
Snow White (Sadie Levett) gazes at an apple held by the Wicked Queen (Lori Haley Fox).

Best performing panto with multiple sellout shows 

This year’s panto proved to be Chelmsford’s most popular yet, with sales figures outperforming last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk to become Chelmsford Theatre’s best performing panto. The production sold 95% of tickets to audiences visiting from far and wide, welcoming 27,652 people, including 6,276 schoolchildren from schools across Chelmsford and wider Essex.  

Theatre Director, Rhys Thomas, is delighted by the success of last year’s Snow White: 

“Putting on a yearly pantomime is a huge and rewarding undertaking that involves lots of planning, time and energy. It’s so important that we get it right, both for our expectant audiences, but also to ensure that our local theatre has the means to put on even more great shows throughout the year.

“It’s been delightful to work on this, my first Chelmsford Theatre panto, and to see it thrive with such a talented cast, outstanding crew, and daring new storyline – and of course with our wonderful audiences, without whom none of this would be possible.

“I look forward to seeing many of you back later this year for another exceptionally magical panto for 2025.”

Rhys Thomas, Theatre Director, Chelmsford Theatre

Book your early bird tickets for Aladdin 2025 

A wondrous experience awaits audiences attending Chelmsford Theatre’s 2025 panto, with Aladdin confirmed as this year’s production. Aladdin comes to theatre from Friday 28 November 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026. There’ll be magic carpets, genies, dazzling costumes, heroes and villains, laughter and a whole new world of adventure in this classic panto tale! With 20% of tickets already sold, it’s best not to delay! 

Whilst you wait for Aladdin and his genie to fly into the theatre later this year, Chelmsford Theatre has a varied programme of comedy, drama, and family shows planned for 2025.  

In March, the ultimate ‘90s night out comes to the theatre with Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical. Fresh from the West End and Broadway, this iconic story comes to Chelmsford as part of its first national UK tour.  

Cruel Intentions (1)

For families, there’s plenty lined up to enjoy in 2025, including the return of the popular Horrible Histories in April – this time exploring the Terrible Tudors and the Awful Egyptians. There are also adaptations of beloved children’s books The Gruffalo and The Worst Princess coming to the theatre in February and May.  

Be first in line to hear about everything coming to Chelmsford Theatre in 2025 by signing up to their mailing list and following them on Facebook and Instagram

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Cherelle Nightingill
Cherelle Nightingill

Cherelle writes about Chelmsford Theatre, Hylands Estate, Chelmsford Museum, the Mayor of Chelmsford and culture and events in the city.