Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

With Panto season in full swing it was an honour to get to go and see St Augustine’s Repertory Society and their production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Despite being performed in a small parish centre there was nothing “small” about this production from start to finish.

The huge amount of work that Director Adrian Frank and the support team of his daughter Catherine and Alan Anderson must have put in is ridiculous as so much of this show resembled the workings of a large company and indeed much larger budget. The costuming was bright, colourful and excellent for the whole cast, the scenery so detailed, props were perfect, the lighting and sound effects were both effective and perfectly timed and the technology fresh and very creative.

Now for a small stage I am amazed at just how big the overall cast was (and I don’t mean in terms of height - no offence to the dwarfs). With over 30 members involved from principals, to Junior and Adult ensembles the energy from everyone involved was infectious. The Youth Chorus in particular had such beaming smiles throughout. I wouldn't have known if they had put a step wrong because I was too busy focussing on what an amazing time they were all having. Despite a large cast the direction and choreography never allowed the stage to look crowded. The choreography was simple yet so effective as the synchronisation was perfect and with a lot of big numbers for the whole cast to perform, over complicating it would have meant too much to learn and it would have looked sloppy so a massive praise for keeping it simple, clean and slick.

I always say that no matter how good a Panto is, pick the wrong songs for the big numbers and it can falter. No fear with that tonight as STARS picked and adapted some great choices to fit the show. With lyrics changed by Catherine Frank (she was busy in this show) and the writer Alan Frayn they fitted the story really well. Now it wasn’t just the energy that was strong but under the Musical Direction of Jonathan Clamp the vocals were really impressive. Leading a band of 6 (I must give a bit of extra credit to Eve Dunford for that stunning Guitar solo - Wow!) that never overpowered the cast he really got the best out of the group with huge hits like Brand New Day, Don’t Stop Me Now and 500 miles all huge hits and really showcasing the cast. 

The show got off to a great pace from the start with a hysterical intro from the Dwarfs as they performed Hello from the Book of Mormon carefully re-written to introduce themselves. After a lively start we got to meet Alfie Webster who did a great job as Fairy Fortune keeping the story flowing with lovely descriptive monologues and despite being on a screen keeping us visually engaged. Alfie would double up as Merlin the Mirror, yet again on the large screen, but this time as a live filmed feed from within the building. This allowed the timings when in dialogue with on-stage cast members to work perfectly and still keep that feeling of connection between them all. Alfie did a lovely job jumping between the two characters giving us 2 very different sides to his acting skills and later on grabbing his moment in the spotlight with a confident swagger showing off some slick vocals and moves in Fabulous Baby, the hit from Sister Act, as he appeared from behind the broken mirror.

Most of the dialogue with the mirror is a constant battle with our menacing Diva, Queen Avarice played by Samantha Wright who quite simply owned the stage on every entrance and had the audience under her wicked spell through her powerful monologues as she revealed her plans for Snow White’s demise. This was an outstanding Baddy performance in every way. Her ability to switch from a laugh to a cackle was genius, her posture and poses were sharp, facial expressions haunting and she had a sharp tongue and bite with the audience. Her solo of I Put a Spell on You was spellbinding, not only genuine to the role but also vocally perfect.

She bounced off really well with her sidekicks throughout the show. Bossing around the straight laced Oliver Kitchen as Justice Quill and joining him as they permanently had their heads in their hands over the stupidity of Scribbles, played brilliantly by Melany McNiff. The endless Technology jokes between her and Oliver flowed well and had the audience cringing, taking bad puns to a new level.

As her wicked plans roll on she casts a spell on the hapless Slurp to carry out Snow White’s murder and as Slurp, Carol Keen gave us the facial expressions of the night. The quick freezes allowed her to paint a picture of stupidity and shock at each moment and even her Silence of The Lambs teeth chattering was superb. A great visual performance from a lovely comedy actress.

Speaking of comedy, STARS are very lucky to have a great Dame and Comedy Clown with Damian Wynne as Edna Bucket and Iain Pearson as Chuckles. From both of their 1st entrances they gave the show lovely pace and energy. Iain was like a firecracker, whizzing across the stage on his Scooter on his 1st entrance to bounding around the stage with a huge repertoire of cheesy jokes. Damian gave a huge performance as the loveable Edna, with all the Dame mannerisms captured from the lifting of the fake bosom to the constant undergarment flashing it was lovely to watch. The song choice of Sweet Transvestite tweaked to Sweet Housekeeper was excellent allowing Damian to work the stage and the audience. The finale comedy sketch between the two of them and Snow White was hysterical with the classic Susie’s Sushi Store dialogue. Even the little slips in tricky speeches made it even funnier and the accidental slip of another word beginning with Sh added to the comedy genius of it. Great comedy timing from all involved.

Now I mentioned previously how Catherine Frank had not only choreographed the numbers, re-written a number of song lyrics and assistant directed the show, but she also played Snow White’s love interest Prince Ferdinand and with a cracking thigh slap she played the perfect Prince. With a lovely Australian twang to her accent her line delivery was excellent, her connection with Snow White believable, her breakdown over her death so OTT it was brilliant and her vocals in both songs, and especially in Somebody To Love were excellent. 

Now where do I start with Hannah Connor’s performance as the Title character. Firstly I can not believe that someone in Year 10 can have such control over a role. Commanding the stage with such great stage presence whilst maintaining all of the lovely Disney Princess mannerisms whilst being so busy in the show. Her engagement with the Dwarfs was so lovely to watch and she also easily held her own against more experienced performers on stage. The tone to her voice was beautiful, having great control and power to be heard over a full chorus. Whilst wonderful in every song choice she really shone in the Finale of Act Two with the clever I Will Survive/I’m a Survivor Mash-up. I can’t wait to watch this young actress develop even more over the years to come.

Now most times I have seen Snow White performed the Dwarfs do not really play a prominent role yet in this script and performance they feature strongly throughout and this gave a chance for the 7 to really shine. As Brainy, Smiley, Dozy, Grumbly, Blushful, Snoozy and Sniffle. Joshua Ashton, Scarlett Springhall, Evangeline Wright, Aine Rochester, Lucy Barrett, Eliza Voss and Lawrie in the respective roles they all created amazing characters that fitted their titles. Every single one of them were perfectly cast with Aine suitably grumpy throughout; Lawrie covering the stage with sneezes at every opportunity; Eliza drifting off at every opportunity, Lucy hiding in the background in character, Evangeline delivering some great dead-pan stupid comments; Scarlett filling the stage with cheery lines and a gorgeous beaming smile and all of them being bossed about and kept in check by Joshua Ashton who was superb as Brainy. Joshua had a brilliant almost Deidre from Coronation Street husk to his voice as he glanced around the stage through his oversized glasses.

Visually they were excellent, all of them on their knees the whole show with comedy legs attached to them to give the Dwarf height image (this worked so well), they must all be shattered and physically hurting from this strenuous demand but it was so worth it as it looked fantastic. Now these 7 not only acted well but also as a group and individually great singers too. All taking on strong solo lines in huge hits like Six (well 7 as it was re-written), 9 To 5, 500 Miles and Mambo Number 5. They had so much to do throughout the whole show and their voices didn’t waver once. 

With a brilliant Queen Finale the show came to a fantastic close and I have to admit I didn’t want it to end, I was having so much fun. The audience reaction was brilliant and great recognition of not only great performances on stage but also to the huge team effort behind the scenes. I know that after a number of years that Director Adrian is having a well-earned break and after that show tonight you certainly deserve it. Your cast did you proud and I know I probably echo the thoughts of your members that you will be missed. The next Director has big shoes to fill after the hit of Snow White but I know STARS will again rise to the challenge and I can’t wait to come and join you again for some more excellent Panto fun.

 

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