Snow White

James Hughes’ debut as director and co-writer, alongside Kira Beavis and three other
society members, delivers a delightfully fresh take on the classic pantomime Snow White.
With a script brimming with creativity and some wonderfully “out there” ideas, this production
was packed with humour, particularly the inspired concept of the “indeterminate quantity” of
dwarves which was a clever twist that worked brilliantly.
Daisy Stevens was exceptional as Snow White. Her crystal-clear vocals were so flawless
they could easily have been mistaken for professionally recorded tracks. Pairing her
stunning voice with her natural flair for pantomime acting made her the perfect Snow White.
She truly could not be praised highly enough.
Lisa Rawlings shone as Queen Ingrid, delivering a powerful, commanding performance. She
balanced menace and humour expertly, creating a villain who was both formidable and
entertaining. Her big musical number was a real crowd-pleaser, laced with the kind of
comedy that comes so naturally to her.
Kellyn Williams was a fantastic Magic Mirror. Her deadpan delivery was spot on, and the
visual representation of the mirror on stage was refreshingly inventive. It was great to see
the Magic Mirror brought to life as more than just someone holding a frame. It added a real
spark to the production.
Keith Goody played Dame Geraldine in what I understand to be his final pantomime after an
impressive 14 years as a Dame. The script didn’t give the Dame the larger, central role that
usually defines panto. While I always appreciate a fresh take on tradition, it was a shame not
to see more of Keith in this performance.
Craig Stevens was perfectly cast as Unlucky Luke. His take on the "Buttons-style" character
was charming, mischievous, and utterly endearing. Adults and children alike loved
him...even when his jealousy of the Prince led him to be a little cheeky!
Holly Shelton delivered a lovely performance as Prince Ferdinand, channelling a whimsical,
Hugh Grant-inspired charm. It’s always a joy to see the classic panto tradition of a female
actor in the role of the Prince, and Holly brought her own humorous and heartfelt twist to the
part.
Matt Pearson and Rhys Burrell were magnificent in their multiple roles as the many, many
dwarves. From the sneaky antics of ‘Stealthy’ to the grumpy humour of ‘Grouchy’, their
dynamic performances brought boundless energy and plenty of laughs to the stage.
The ensemble radiated smiles and enthusiasm throughout, and it was wonderful to see
some fresh faces among the cast.

The sets were stunning, with beautiful attention to detail, and the costumes were equally
fabulous. However, the scene changes were noticeably lengthy and sometimes clumsy,
which disrupted the pace of the show. The clock in, while creatively used for Stealthy in Act
2, seemed to be the biggest culprit for the delays. Personally, I would have either limited its
use to just that scene or placed it upstage left next to the mirror and moved it offside when
not needed. While the choreographed removal of the clock was very well done, the overall
complexity of its movements made things feel awkward.
The beauty of pantomime lies in its forgiving nature when things go awry and audiences love
to be in on the joke. Sometimes, leaning into the humour of a mishap or involving the
audience during complex scene changes can be far more effective than trying to resolve
everything in a blackout.
On opening night, there were a few minor sound and lighting issues. These are entirely
understandable and forgivable
The musical choices were a mixed success. Some were perfectly chosen and cleverly
rewritten, but a few current or popular songs might have resonated more with the younger
members of the audience.
Snow White and the Indeterminate Quantity of Dwarves was a fantastic effort from James
Hughes, Kira Beavis, and their team. Despite a few technical and pacing hiccups, the
humour, creative twists, and standout performances made for a thoroughly entertaining
evening. Writing and producing an original pantomime is no small feat, and this production
delivered a refreshing and humorous spin on a beloved tale. Congratulations to the entire
cast and crew!

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