There is something about a Highland panto that lifts a room before the curtain has even settled, and last night Snow White at Eden Court proved again why this annual tradition has become one of the most anticipated nights of the festive season.
From the moment the lights rose the audience knew they were in safe hands as a warm, bustling energy filled the theatre and the story stepped into motion with confidence, colour and that unmistakable sense of Highland mischief.
This is a panto that knows exactly what it is doing and does it with joy, offering a blend of slapstick, sharp timing, music, mayhem and surprising tenderness that carries families along in one shared wave of laughter.
Eden Court has long been a home for pantomime but this year’s production feels especially assured, delivering a show built on strong direction, bold staging and a cast who look as though they are genuinely enjoying every second of being part of a Highland Christmas tradition.
The sets are stunning, rich with detail and imagination, and they give the story a sense of scale that makes every entrance feel theatrical and every moment feel carefully crafted for families who have waited all year to return to their favourite seats.
The cast take full advantage of it as they move with confidence between big musical numbers, cheeky asides and the kind of gentle chaos that only a seasoned ensemble can pull off without missing a beat.
What stands out most is how heartfelt the performances are because behind the jokes and the glitter there is real care in how the story is told and real warmth in the way the actors hold the attention of even the youngest members of the audience.
The script is clever and playful with exactly the right mix of silliness and sharpness and it is a mystery how the creative team manages to deliver fresh material year after year with such consistency.
The band deserves their own applause with live music that lifts the whole show and gives every scene an energy that can only come from musicians who love what they do.
The younger performers on stage were a joy to watch bringing enthusiasm and confidence to each scene and adding a spark that made the night feel even more alive.
It delivers full “oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is” brilliance, the sort of panto that sends you out into the night grinning at how good live theatre can be.
Eden Court itself played its part with welcoming staff, a friendly atmosphere and the sense of place that makes this venue feel like a cultural home for the Highlands every December.
This is a must see show for the festive season and one that families will talk about long after the decorations come down because it captures everything that makes panto special and everything that makes the Highlands a place of shared joy at Christmas.
Get your tickets, take the kids, take your granny and let yourself have a proper laugh in a warm Highland room at the dark end of the year.
Get your tickets HERE
The panto plays through to Sunday 4 January 2026 when it takes its final bow at 5.00pm.
