Snow White

Once upon a time, in a far‑off kingdom, the wicked Queen Secretia reigned supreme as the most beautiful woman in all the land. But everything changed the moment Snow White blossomed into adulthood. On her eighteenth birthday, the enchanted mirror dared to proclaim a new fairest of them all - Snow White herself. Consumed by jealousy and vanity, Queen Secretia hatches a wicked plan: with a single bite of a poisoned apple, she would rid herself of her rival forever and win the heart of the dashing Prince for herself. But evil never goes unchallenged. Will the flirtatious, ever‑dramatic Nurse, the bumbling yet utterly lovable Muddles, and seven unexpected new friends manage to protect the Princess before the Queen’s dark plot unfolds?

Isabel Panter (Snow White) brought a delightful blend of naïve charm and warmth to the title role. Abbie Hales (Prince William of Wellingborough) delivered her performance with confidence and a strong sense of character. Jennie Lovell (Mirror) was both sassy and stylish, handling the elaborate headpiece with impressive ease. Rebecca Barton (Queen Secretia) embodied pure wickedness; her spine‑tingling cackle alone could have stolen the show. David Mander (Nurse Nora Virus) offered crisp, precise vocal delivery, giving the impression that nursing truly was his life’s calling, and he built an excellent rapport with the audience. Jack Ebsworth (Muddles) balanced wit and silliness perfectly, engaging the audience throughout.

All the dwarfs were in keeping with their names and the audience were intrigued by Ian.

Musical Director John Dolby clearly drew the best from the cast vocally. The band supported the performers beautifully, never overpowering them, with the sound levels allowing every voice to blend and be heard.

Lauren Marocco’s choreography enhanced the musical numbers wonderfully. The dancers were sharply rehearsed, as was the full company in the larger ensemble pieces.

Heather Bambridge’s direction was first‑class, keeping the action moving at a lively pace. The revival of Snow White after the kiss felt a touch rushed, and the walk‑downs appeared under‑rehearsed, with a few cast members entering at the wrong moments and almost causing mishaps.

Sound levels were generally excellent. However, during the Queen’s transformation into the old woman, her vocals became muffled and difficult to understand once the mask was applied; pre‑recorded lib would have  ensured clarity.

Lighting was mostly effective, though the follow spots seemed different in strength of illumination. It was unclear whether this was intentional. The follow spot for the Mirror’s entrance at the beginning was initially quite off target.

The scenery was vibrant, and the costumes suited the setting well, though the Queen’s crown seemed a little simplistic. Props were used to good effect throughout.

Congratulations to everyone involved on a well‑produced show. Thank you for the invitation to review it, and best wishes as you begin preparations for your next pantomime.

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