Snow White

After a lengthy pause, PODS made its way back from lockdown with an energy packed modern version of the family classic “Snow White”. It was obvious from the first scene that debut director / producers Victoria Annis and Matthew Owens had put a lot of energy behind the production with some ongoing up to date modern touches and current references that resonated with an enthusiastic audience.

Initially we are taken back to Snow White’s childhood to meet her (sharing performances well by Chloe Simmonds & Tillie Brotherton with the Young Prince (also shared well by Josh Deacon & Joseph Pike) and learn that her father has died and been left alone with her wicked step-mother. Looking over her, the father played by Peter Spence had a lovely voice singing ‘I’m Here’.

Time passes and we meet Snow White again, played by Briony Stevens, looking and sounding just as you would hope with voice to match. From her first entrance we were left in no doubt that the villain of the piece was step mother ‘Queen Prunella’ played with enormous presence and flair by an excellent Suzie Tapley. Her exchanges with ‘The Magic Mirror’ played by Paul Tapley were great fun, communicating initially via her iphone with an app directly to the mirror. Paul’s clarity and humour came over with abundance and they worked well together with ‘Backstage Romance’. All’s well until Prunella is told she is no longer the fairest of them all and has been replaced by Snow White.

Every panto should have a ‘Nurse Betty’ played by Matt Tebbatt who endeared herself to an enthusiastic audience instantly. All, one might think, except ‘Tim and Nicky’ who were famously selected from the audience and behind many funny jokes throughout the rest of the evening. ‘Muddles’ (Steven Miller) soon appeared with an equally impressive performance at a good pace, as the love-struck, but sadly just a ‘friend’ of Snow White. ‘Settle for me’ was a great song with Briony.

All is lost for ‘Muddles’ when ‘Prince Richard’ arrives, played by the dashing Jack Dickson. Jack had great stage presence, moved and sang well, with ‘Jump’ and later on with ‘How will I know?’, in particular. Meanwhile Susan Perry as ‘Hertz’, Prunella’s accomplice, gave great support throughout.

‘Muddles’ is instructed to take Snow White, kill her and return with her heart but instead hides her in the enchanted forest where she meets and is rescued by seven ‘Magic Engineers’. I liked that each had their own character and dressed differently, ‘gothic style’; they worked well as a team. ‘Blame it on the Boogie’ was a great number.

In fact, everyone on stage was well dressed from top to toe, the chorus worked well together and the dancers who had numerous well drilled pieces added an additional bounce to the whole production. Memorable company numbers included ‘Something about this Night’, ‘Nine to five’ and ‘River Deep, Mountain High’.

The set was simple and effective, with mainly projections on to the backcloth to depict the various scenes, which worked well and the orchestra and sound were well balanced, lights on cue - with one exception music covered the scene changes, which I always like.

Thank you for the usual warm welcome at No. 8. Everyone deserves to be pleased and proud of this production.

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