Grisly murders and shrieking detectives are not the usual ingredients for a Christmas show, but then again, the Wardrobe Theatre’s December production is not your typical festive yarn.

A cross between the cult horror film Se7en, which tells the story of seven murders inspired by the deadly sins, and the classic tale Snow White, the action in Se7en Dwarfs begins a week before Christmas, when a lady is forced to dance herself to death.

Puzzled by the murder, hapless police investigator Bramley drafts in his former colleague Detective White to help trace the killer.

White looks a bit like Snow White, but she has a thing about Prince and a dance routine to match, and it soon becomes obvious she’s the brains behind the investigation.

Before long, the serial killer strikes again and as patterns begin to emerge it’s left to White to piece together the increasingly outrageous clues.

There are some classic pantomime moments, not least the physical humour from bumbling detective Bramley (Adam Blake), and occasional audience participation, but it’s his female counterpart White (Emma Keaveney-Roys) who steals the show with her versatility and terrifying scream.

Despite the occasional wry nod to the horror film, this production won’t leave you quaking in your snow boots so much as giggling over your mulled wine.

While you shouldn’t expect a slick West End production, you can be sure that this quirky, laugh-out-loud two-hander will leave you wanting more, and it might even put you off traditional pantos for good.

Review by Nicola Yeeles

Se7en Dwarfs is at the Wardrobe Theatre until December 22. For tickets and more information, visit www.thewardrobetheatre.com/#/se7en-dwarfs/4578793019.