Lyric Hammersmith Review 26th September 2026

Big Bad Wolf at the Lyric Hammersmith, correctly billed as a family show, has a cast of four playing guitars, drums, banjo, and keyboard. After the first few songs, it becomes clear they all switch instruments during the show, and all play them very well.

They also take on multiple roles: traditional panto or fairytale-style characters, a bit like Shrek, including Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, the Three Little Pigs, the Fairy Godmother, a wicked witch, Rumpelstiltskin and more, all involved in the same plot this time.

The Fairy Godmother narrates in rhyme most of the time (like that). We appear to be at a point where the Wolf has eaten Granny and has now spotted one of the Three Little Pigs, leaving him fancying a ham sandwich or suchlike. Red Riding Hood is organising a festival in Fairytaleville, and the Three Little Pigs are booked to play, which has got the Wolf even more hungry.

There are rock songs, folk-style songs and a hilarious German techno song that belongs in Eurovision. It’s not just for kids: there are some enjoyable jokes that only adults will get, just like most pantos. I could hear the adults, including me, laughing out loud at various times.

What’s the time, Mr Wolf(e)? Time for 55 minutes of great fun, with cracking tunes and panto silliness.

This is the last of the current run of this show, but definitely keep an eye out for The Plandits doing more shows, either of this or new planned ones. See the video interview I did with them below for more.

Show	The Big Bad Wolf
Dates & Times	This production at this venue has ended. For future possible dates please check The Plandits
Venue	Lyric Hammersmith
Production details	See The Plandits

Disclosure: I attended with a complimentary press ticket.