Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs

Pantomime time again and we all know what to expect, a fun evening where good will in the end overcome evil and between times we have lots of laughs with the dame and her stooge.

This year we saw a change around no Nick Browne playing the dame, but blasting in on his scooter came Edna Bucket played by Dan Matuszak. Good on you Dan, hard shoes to fill but you smashed it, as large as life and just as colourful in your dazzling finale costume, made especially for you, all round wow factor. The stooge for the dame to play to, was Chuckles, (Stee Leahy) he threw himself into the audience participation, his jokes were brilliant and ad libs right on the ball, all good news for us.

Also new to the team was the leading lady Snow White (Amy Kate Clarkson) she was perfect for the part with her lovely sweet voice, then with the Prince (Stacy Croxton) both voices blending so well. Both ladies had good stage presence and we believed in their characters.

A large part of the story incorporates the 7 dwarfs, well done to Millie, Eilidh, Lenisha, Arthur, Sam, Alexandra and Annie. I loved your performances and heard every word, a great idea to film out in the town buying your shovels at the local store. To the 14 other youngsters acting as Villagers, Sprites and forest animals keep up the good work, I could feel your enthusiasm, you were always on the ball, the audience loved you. Thank you, to the enormous team backstage keeping costume changes slick and 21 youngsters quiet, no mean feat.  

Gathering Boos and Hisses was Queen Averice, (Tracie Birdsall) showing endless energy and loving the comments thrown at her for her evil deeds, the “off with her head” been the most memorable.

The magical mirror holding Merlin was a new twist, Lewis Wilde stepped into that role, cool and unruffled by the Queen, with good lighting and costume, it worked well I thought. Fairy Fortune (Emily Chaimberlain) gave us the glitter and sweetness and of course overcame the evil for a happy ending.

Justice Quill (Stan Parry) desperately trying to keep everything in order and Scribbles (Keith Burns) who had jokes we were all guessing in advance constantly bounced off each other a good team.

Playing the cameo of the woodcutter Slurp was Will Jackson, giving us an appropriate vision of a low life, quite scary.

Director, James Cornick put a lot of hard work into this production we enjoyed our evening and thank you for your warm hospitality. Musical Director, Maeve Hird conducting her orchestra of three who gave us a nice gentle backing with just the right amount of oomph when needed. Choreography by Emma Greenhalgh, slick and well tutored cast and villagers, job well done.

Pantomime also relies on one other thing, the Set design, Ann Wall as Set designer excelled herself. The scenery painted by her team of 6 was imaginative and colourful, enhanced with lighting by Paul Philips and his team. Colour was also added by costumes mainly from Alan Graham costumiers but some brought together by Tessa Currigan and her workforce.

Bravo, Bravo, another great night’s fun.

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