Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The Watsons celebrated their 50th Anniversary in style with an excellent production written by the talented panto writer Ben Crocker.  The Players are fortunate to have seasoned panto performers in their ranks, and this certainly showed in this sparkling show.

Wonderwings, Patricia Church and Fairy Goodheart, Jessica Baird set the scene and the standard with an opening narrative. Regina Repton as Queen Grimelza stole the show with a commanding display, getting the appropriate hiss and boos from the audience.  She was ably  assisted by Yvonne Baird , dizzy and zany , as Blackwing.  Ellie Mallinson jollied the audience as the man hungry Dolly Dumpling, playing her part with great confidence and style. Gary Rowley was most personable as her son Danny Dumpling.

The romantic side was nicely portrayed by Ciara Beighton as a lovely Snow White and Marie Madej as Prince Frederick, both handling their vocals with ease.  The icing on the cake came from the seven dwarfs, plus one, who all deserve a mention.  Liz Woolley,  assured  as Chief Dwarf, Trevor Chambers, an apt Grouchy, Margaret Icely as Snoozy and Lynne Chambers as Snotty.  Jolly was played by Sally Tickner-Mellor, Doz-Ee by Isabelle Fitzpatrick and Disney by Tabitha Hartshorn.  As the plus one, Jake Perry was superb as the Shakespeare quoting AmDram.  Completing a most competent principal line up were Wayne Perry as Bogwart and Karen Jones as Stinkwort,both energetic and hilarious in their antics.

Good dance scenes nicely performed by both the dancers, and an energetic chorus,  all well-disciplined in their movements.  As always great credit must go to the costume team for the magnificent array of costumes that greatly enhanced the show.

With good direction, effective choreography, allied with a tight band, excellent set and effects, this was a super panto and a splendid way to celebrate 50 years.

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