Snow White

Sparks Dramatic Society’s Snow White is a shining example of how joyful, energetic and heart warming a good family pantomime can be. From the colourful opening moments through to the lively finale, the show delivers a wonderful mix of laughter, spectacle and sincere storytelling, making it an ideal treat for audiences of all ages. It is clear that a great deal of time, care and enthusiasm has gone into bringing this classic fairy tale to the stage.

Racheal Coogan leads the show confidently as Snow White, giving a performance that is both engaging and warm. She brings a lovely sincerity to the role, making Snow White instantly likeable, and her vocals are strong and clear throughout. Whether singing solo or as part of the ensemble, she handles the musical numbers with ease, helping to anchor the production with a sense of calm and charm.

As Prince Percy, Jack Evans offers a polished and thoughtful performance. While he occasionally struggled with the choreography, his acting was confident and his line delivery was consistently strong. On the whole his characterisation and stage presence ensured he remained a convincing and appealing romantic lead.

Amber Kennerley’s Evil Queen is suitably intimidating and impressively slick. She brings a sense of glamour and menace to the role, relishing every moment of villainy and giving the audience a deliciously dramatic character to boo. Balancing this darker energy is Lily-Sue Thomas as Fairy Mary, who adds sparkle and lightness to the show. Her bright, bubbly performance brings a magical quality that helps keep the tone playful and uplifting.

Scott Lees is a true crowd pleaser as Dame Daphne, delivering excellent audience interaction and sharp comedic timing. He understands the rhythm of panto perfectly, knowing just when to pause for laughter or throw in an extra knowing look, and his scenes consistently bring big smiles and plenty of laughs.

A real highlight of the show comes from Erin Bradbury and Adam Carter as Betty and Bradon. Their chemistry is fabulous, and they never let their energy drop, even in smaller moments. They are a joy to watch, bringing warmth, humour and genuine connection to every scene they share.

The choreography, led by Sue Bradbury, is well judged for the intended audience and is clearly well rehearsed. The ensemble dancers deserve particular praise for being so well drilled, moving confidently and precisely to create a strong visual impact throughout the show. The dwarves, too, are impressively confident and work brilliantly as a group, giving their scenes plenty of personality and charm.

One especially delightful performance comes from Jem Marshall-Ayre as Duncan the Duck. Despite being hidden inside a full duck costume and communicating only through “quacks,” she somehow manages to give the character a full and expressive personality, which is both impressive and endlessly entertaining.

Director Daniel Oliver-Grant deserves huge credit for managing such a large cast so effectively. The result is a slick, joyful and well-paced family pantomime that celebrates community theatre at its best. Snow White is a charming, colourful and thoroughly enjoyable production that leaves you smiling long after the final curtain.

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