Chelmsford’s beloved Dame Neil Bromley co-writes this year’s panto Snow White

Actor Neil Bromley, who has played the role of Chelmsford Theatre’s Dame four times, is co-writing this year’s panto – Snow White. Neil is writing the panto alongside fellow writer and friend Tony Casement.

This year marks Neil’s fifth appearance as Chelmsford’s Dame

Neil has been working the panto scene for more than a decade, playing the role of Dame every Christmas since 2013 in various theatres including The White Rock in Hastings and the Mercury Theatre in Colchester.

In recent years he’s become a Chelmsford fan favourite, appearing as the Dame in One From The Heart and Chelmsford Theatre co-productions of beloved fairy tales Jack and the Beanstalk (2023 and 2016), Beauty and the Beast (2021) and Sleeping Beauty (2020). This year, he’ll be playing Dame Dolly Diamond in a co-production of Snow White.

Neil has been in four previous productions of Chelmsford Theatre's annual panto.

With comedic talent coursing through his veins, Neil also regularly performs across the UK as an established stand-up comedian. His other stage work includes portraying comedy legend Stan Laurel in Philip Dart's critically acclaimed production of Laurel and Hardy at the Jermyn Street Theatre. While in film and television, Neil has appeared in productions such as The Lost City of Z and Call the Midwife.

Long-term friends co-writing this year’s panto script

Neil is writing the script for Snow White alongside Tony Casement. Tony and Neil are long-term friends, having first met in the 1980s whilst studying for their A-Levels. The pair co-wrote their first panto in 1992, which was performed at the Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Since then, they’ve written many plays and TV shows together, including Channel 4 sitcom Turn The World Down starring Sean Hughes, and BBC Radio 4 play A Pig Too Far starring Toby Jones.

Neil is excited to be co-writing this year’s script alongside his old college friend:

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“I’ve been in Chelmsford’s panto for a few years now and it’s lovely coming back each year. I’ve got to know the venue, the city and the brilliant audiences, so I’m really thrilled to be given the opportunity to write this year’s panto. And alongside such an old friend – Tony and I have known each other a long time and worked on a few projects together before.

"I think it’s quite helpful to co-write alongside a friend because you can comfortably bounce ideas off each other and have a laugh together. If we’re having a laugh at our own gags then I hope audiences will appreciate them too.”

Neil Bromley, actor, writer and comedian

The many faces of Neil Bromley as Chelmsford Theatre's panto Dame.

Theatre Director, Rhys Thomas, says Neil’s comedic talent and years with Chelmsford Theatre will stand him in good stead:

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“After years of riffing with and teasing our audiences, Neil is the perfect individual to write our panto script for this year’s Snow White. Our regulars just love his Dames, sometimes struggling to take a breather through the constant laughter when he’s on stage! I know that Neil will put this excellent panto experience and his comedic genius to good use when writing our reinvented Snow White.

“Having had a sneak peek at what he and Tony have been up to so far, I can confidently say that this year is going to be an exceptionally good storyline. I can’t wait to see it in its entirety.”

Rhys Thomas, Chelmsford Theatre Director

A fresh adaptation of Snow White with a bold and feisty heroine

Chelmsford Theatre and One From The Heart present a fun and fresh new version of the classic tale, Snow White, for this year’s panto treat.

When an all-too-honest Magic Mirror reveals to the Wicked Queen that she is no longer the fairest in the land, an adventure begins where the jealous queen seeks to do away with her competition, the kind and friendly Snow White. Fleeing to a new life deep into the forest, Snow White lives happily until one day she is tempted into eating a poisoned apple.

Neil says Chelmsford Theatre and One From The Heart wanted to update the classic fairy tale for a modern audience. The resulting script presents Snow White herself in a brand-new light:

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“People come to panto every year to see the same fairy tales like Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast – and it’s nice to sometimes update those stories and present something fresh for audiences to look forward to.

"This year’s panto is Snow White, but with a few extra twists and turns; a reinvention if you will, but you’ll still recognise that classic tale. And Snow White herself – she’s very feisty. She knows what she wants and nobody is pushing her around. So, come along this Christmas to see what’s in store. We’d love to see you and it’ll be ever so good – and I say that completely objectively!”

Neil Bromley, actor, writer and comedian

Book your tickets

Snow White glides into Chelmsford Theatre from Friday 29 November and runs until Sunday 5 January. The theatre has this week released further tickets for sale, so grab yours now via their website to avoid missing out.

A relaxed and BSL interpreted performance takes place on Thursday 2 January at 2pm, and a captioned performance takes place on Friday 3 January at 2pm.

To keep up to date with Chelmsford Theatre’s panto antics this festive season, follow them on Instagram and Facebook.