Snow White

Snow White a pantomime staged by All Souls Dramatic Club at The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport on Thursday, 19th January, 2023.

Once again, we have a classic fairy tale written by the Brothers Grim in the 19th century brought up to date by the ever so talented Cliff Gillies, who not only penned this version, but directed it and also took on the role of the Dame. The original 19th century story tells of a princess, who is exiled by her stepmother, the evil queen who wants her dead… why, because the stepmother wants to be the ‘fairest in the land’!  But ‘The Mirror’ tells her time and time again that she isn’t…. so, to try and make this come true, she sets about trying to have Snow White killed!  In an attempt to save her own life, Snow White runs away, into the forest, but is soon rescued by seven dwarfs who take her in and become her friends. Even the forest and the dwarfs could not protect her and I think you know the rest… the apple, true loves kiss…and the happy ever after!  It all happens, but not how ‘The Brothers’ suggested… this is ‘Cliff’s version!

If you read Cliff’s programme notes you will see that Cliff re-wrote this with a message for his four-year-old daughter… a message that stressed ‘beauty is only skin deep, that it’s not what’s on the outside that counts but what’s on the inside, not to compare herself to others and that the most amazing thing about YOU is YOU’!  Oh, what wise words!  

Production Team… included Cliff Gillies (Writer/Director), Katie Palfrey (Choreographer) and Chris Rimmer (Musical Director/Band Leader), who should all be congratulated on their efforts, dedication and enthusiasm…this was a tremendous production which came together really well and from the applause throughout and at the finale, one that was appreciated totally by those attending that evening… be ever so proud folks, job well done!

The Cast… with sixteen named principals, fifteen ensemble members, four dancers and six junior members all ‘doing their thing’ ever so well, it’s a difficult position I find myself in!  As most will know this is where I usually ‘stick my neck out’ and start identifying MY favourites… the problem is where to start!  I do think that everyone on that stage, that evening gave ‘their all’ creating so many unbelievable characters… what more can you ask and then when Christine Watkinson (Chair), in her programme notes tells us that ‘All Souls’ is proud of its ‘team spirit’ and let me assure you that ‘team spirit’ was evident throughout this performance… then to start saying one was better than the other feels slightly wrong!  So where to start… well let’s start at the very beginning if I may and list the entire cast… Kelly Kness played ‘Snow White’; James Shaw played ‘Prince Rupert’; Tracey Holmes-Smith played Sebastian; Hayley Jones played Lucretia; Mickey Stewart played ‘Dogsbody’; Ian Lawson played ‘The King’; Jenny Roby played ‘Muddles; Jacqui Lewis played ‘The Mirror’; Cliff Gillies played ‘Dame Dixie’; Vicky Newcombe played ‘Brains’; Ana Woodward played ‘Noah’; Melissa Bennett played ‘Walt’; Emma Ward played ‘Disley’, Emma Wood played ‘Willow’; Vicky Snape played ‘Digit’ and Joanne Wasilew played ‘Tiny’. The Ensemble included Sue and John Hardiker, Louise Webster, Josh Barnes, Molly Judd, Carole Birch, Kim Keggin, Chris Gerring, Roy Gardner, Leeanne Elston, Abbie Sumner, Caitlin Woodward, Paula Sumner, Sue Kershaw and Gem Harrison. Dancers: Hannah Grunshaw, Laura Kearns, Chloe Judd and Alishia Pantellerisco (Dance Captain).  Youth Cast Members (The So Talented Academy) Lola Birtles, Fleur Wigmore, Lucy Brookfield, Bryony Jones, Cassidy Ackers and Lucy Manchester.  ‘Shout Outs’… I do feel it would be remiss of me not to ‘stick my neck out’, just a little, and identify MY four favourite characters’ from the performance…  so the ‘Stand Out Performance’ for me was Hayley Jones who just gave us everything as the evil ‘Queen Lucretia’.  Powerful Stage presence, worked the audience amazingly well and made this role her own!  OMG… when Hayley sings everyone listens… her rendition of ‘Never Enough’ will live long in the memory! The song, enhanced by an amazing ‘laser show’ captivated me and the audience… the song and the effect was all you could hear being talked about during the interval… what a way to end Act 1… be proud Hayley truly amazing job!  Joanne Wasilew… just makes me laugh! Joanne took on the role of ‘Tiny’, one of the seven elves. From her first entrance to her last, Joanne had me and many others in stitches… she just oozed confidence, had great stage presence, her ability to use her voice and mannerisms to create or enhance a character is amazing … be ever  so proud Joanne, great job!   Kelly Kness was the perfect fit for the title role of ‘Snow White’ which she played with effortless ease! Worked ever so well with all the cast, another with great stage presence and great singing voice… loved her duet with Hayley – ‘Unstoppable’ highlight for me well-done Kelly… great job, be proud!  Finally, I’ve chosen Jacqui Lewis’s portrayal of the ‘Mirror’.  Another who made the part her own!  Wonderful stage presence, she had a wonderful way of connecting with not only the cast but the audience as well. Another blessed with a wonderful singing voice… be ever so proud Jacqui!  Honestly, I could go on… Tracey Holmes-Smith, Ian Lawson, Jenny Roby, Cliff Gillies, James Shaw… all did great jobs… this truly was a ‘team effort’… be proud folks!

The Band… when you talk about ‘the band’ you’re usually commenting on the musical accompaniment side of things … but the band tonight did far more than just that! Chris Rimmer (Musical Director/Band Lead) on Keys, Dan Rankin (Keys/Guitar) and ‘The Dutch Family’ Mark (Guitar), Adam (Bass Guitar), Paul (Drums) and Sarah (Reeds/Percussion) … provided amazing ‘backing vocals’ throughout and the ‘harmonies’ created, along with the cast members, were ‘unbelievable’ and enhanced the music side of things so much well-done folk… in awe! 

Staging/Sets/Tech Team… Andrea Shacksmyth-Claire (Stage Manager) was overseeing all things stage wise! A basic set was used throughout, with ‘The Band’ being housed on stage, elevated to the rear!  Projection and lighting enhanced this production ever so much.  Previously mentioned, we had ‘lasers’ used on a couple of occasions that brought ‘gasps and applause’ from the audience when used.  The set design/construction, the lighting and sound design were in the capable hands of Sam Hemingway and Matt Hughes who should both be congratulated on their efforts and although I’m not a greatest lover of ‘bright lights’ cascading across the audience… when it’s part of a lighting design that enhances a production to this degree … then I can only support and say be proud of your effort’s guys!

Wardrobe as always, the costumes were excellent and added so much to the production, so it’s congrats to… Chris Watkinson, Mary Hall, Hilda Bromley, Pauline Barker, Barbara Mitchell and Sue Stephens… be proud ladies!

Props… first class and apt… under the watchful eye of Christine Swash and Neil Woods… congrats you two!

Thank you so much for inviting Susan and I to your production, which we thoroughly enjoyed along with everyone else present that night I would suggest! Thank you so much for allowing me to speak briefly with the cast after the show and apologises for not being available to attend your VIP Night.  Can I also take this opportunity to thank both Chris Watkinson for her warm welcome and Phil Richards for looking after us throughout the evening!  To sum up… this was another great pantomime performed by All Souls… have a great year and let’s hope we can all meet again same time, same place!

‘Stay Safe, Keep well’
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
Dist 6 Rep

 

 

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