Snow White

Well here we are again – “Pantomime season”. Oh yes it is!

Liz Crooke wrote Snow White and it was performed in 2014. This time Liz was directing for the first time and was delighted to have a chance to put her ideas on stage, and a very good job the whole company made of it. The Players and SPYDRS performed together. SPYDRS were given lots to contribute to the story.

They began in front of stage with playground games, skipping, hula-hooping. They also appeared as ingredients for the Dame’s cake, the onion was extremely cute, and as Rabbits in the wood. As Dwarfs they showed their special character and performed ‘Busy Doing Nothing’ very well.

Of course, as in panto there are a large number of ‘extras’ for the company, and yes, audience participation was well and truly encouraged. We were invited to join in several songs, and came up to the mark.

I would like to mention here the choreography throughout. I was very impressed with confident performances, the variety of dances and formations. Lots of the dances were quite simple but extremely effective and colourful.. The company continue to use piped music very effectively and the opening singing was lovely and in harmony.

Snow White was played by Destiny Crawley who has a lovely singing voice especially for an 11 year old. Ben Rosen played the Dame, Hattie Hapless, well and related well to the audience. Horace Hapless (Catrin Mari Parri) and Henry Hapless (Tess Whomsley-Walker) played the comedy couple. Not always easy parts to play as part of their role is to make use of the audience, but they worked well together. Obviously talented musicians as well, playing a trumpet & guitar duet.

Prince Pip (Elin Wyn Roberts) was well cast. Queen Vileria (Paula Carr) was suitably evil and certainly domineering towards King Walter (Dan May). Certainly the downtrodden King. Fairy Cupcake (Kate Dunn) did her best to use her magic, sometimes it was misdirected with suitable consequences. Kate’s inevitably enjoyable performance. I loved the magic mirror Reflectanna (Julie Roberts), simple but very effective breaking and repairing.

The characters were well cast throughout. I loved Jenny Williams’ voice as a chorus member and would have been happy to hear more.

No production functions without the back stage crew who came up to the mark as usual. The scenery was suitable and lovely to see some of the backcloths from past shows. Nice memory to keep of Peter Weston. Costumes were effective, again use made of their extensive wardrobe. The dame’s costumes were very effective, varied and original as were the black and white outfits.

The audience are always willing to participate at Criccieth and lights on phones helped to enhance the final number. The audience all left with a happy uplifting feeling.

Well done everyone.

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