Snow White

This was a production of mammoth scale which demonstrated the commitment, talent and utter dedication of this long-standing group determined to get back on stage and to do so in their own amazing style.  The show was produced by Richard Bradford who shared Director credits with Choreographer Linda Kelly and was an amazing fete of passion and faith that in the current situation they could pull off 17 public performances to a capacity audience of 2000 people per show.  Along with Musical Director Andrew Collis their hard work paid off as the production lived up to the very high standards of this talented Society and was nothing less than a spectacle of wonderful theatre, and creative, colourful, fairy-tale pantomime.

The script by Hands On Production and Promotion, was newly written for the Society and the way in which it engaged this huge audience showed that it’s writers both know and understand it’s patrons.  The local references and inclusion of the Steel City’s two football clubs caused huge hilarity amongst those watching and along with the pandemic related jokes was spot on for this venue.  There are some mainstays of the Manor Panto which include dough both being thrown at and from the audience (I fear some regulars bring it with them!) and Tiddly Winky Woo – an audience participation song which I think is actually led by the audience.  The lyrics must be given out with birth certificates in Sheffield as the enthusiastic audience sing along with such gusto that I presume they have been to some of the rehearsals.

The casting was excellent with strong and entertaining performances from all the cast.  James Smith as Muddles was the perfect ‘Silly Billy’ who totally engaged the audience.  The hilarious comedy duo, Bee and Que, Chris Hanlon and Andy Finnerty had just the right combination of comic timing and stupidity to make them loved by the audience and supported in their quest to rescue Snow White.  Simon Hance as Slurp was a great henchman to the wicked Queen and Fairy Nuff delivered her lines with delightful energy and enthusiasm.  There were some super characters in supporting roles including Richard Coddington as The King and Holly Mae Norris as Mother.  The seven dwarfs worked hard to give great character interpretations in their huge costumes, which they achieved without exception. 

Emma Flanagan was a super Prince Engelbert, with the perfect characteristics for a principal boy, who performed her songs with great energy and fabulous delivery.  It wasn’t the usual ‘small role’ for a Prince in this story and that made it even more astounding that Louise Leather had been able to step in for the first few performances with very limited rehearsal time.  Though I didn’t see Louise’s performances and was delighted to see Emma in the role, it would be remiss not to mention this wonderful commitment which was highly regarded by those who did see those shows.

Emily McGeoch was an incredible Queen Morticia with just right measure of wickedness and comedy and a fabulous voice in her numbers.  Emily Mae Hoyland was the perfect Snow White, the hundreds of little children in the audience (many in costume) surely believed they had been transported straight into the fairy-tale.  She was far from a simpering Princess and along with Smith as Muddles welcomed us to the story with the great renditions of ‘Get Ready’ and ‘Dancing in the Street’.  She maintained her beautiful diction throughout and was thoroughly believable in the title role.

And Dame Tess….what can be said of Robert Spink’s masterclass in being a Panto Dame?  From his arrival on a pink motorbike with ‘Bat Out of Hell’ blaring out, to the wonderful baking scene which he commands with great authority and his constant engagement with the audience he truly is a wonderful Dame.   His costumes were magnificent and he seemed utterly at home in them, even what must have been the shortest Dame’s dress in history – showing some great legs.  For me Spink has perfectly captured what is needed to make this role a success and he is clearly loved by the audience.

The ensemble and dancers gave excellent performances and credit must be given to the younger members of the cast who shone as dancers and were incredibly talented including some high leaps and fabulous tumbles in the great choreography.  The opening numbers of ‘Welcome to the Pantomime’ and ‘Something About this Night’ really set the scene for an emotional and uplifting return to the theatre.  Andrew Collis and his ten-piece band provided the perfect accompaniment to the many songs and production numbers which had been selected to suit both the mood of the story and the singers.

The stage crew worked hard to ensure that scene changes were perfect and there was a very entertaining UV scene.  The set, costumes, lighting, sound, special effects and pyrotechnics were to a very high standard and showed the investment made by the Society in ensuring that this production was value for money for the many members of the paying audience.  The Queen’s Magic Mirror, ‘Alexia’ was a great special effect and made the most of the Audience Cam which was a new addition to the production this year.  It also allowed this report writer to get a sneaky peak at the look of wonder on the faces of the children in the audience, young and old, which shows the real success of any pantomime.

Congratulations to everyone involved on stage, in the production team, back-stage and front of house – a fabulous evening’s entertainment showing the determination and talent of amateur theatre in what has been a very trying time. 

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