Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

It may be February, but Panto season is still going strong. Wombwell Musical Theatre Society were greeted with shouts of it’s behind you from an auditorium full of children as they presented their latest seasonal offering, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Written by Tom Whalley, this was extremely funny script which was appreciated by members of the audiences. The cast also looked like they were having fun up on the stage, which proves yet again, why this is the best hobby in the world. Praise must be given to wardrobe team. Headed by Vanessa Bates & the Thimbles Sewing Group, the costumes were bright, colourful, and suited each character. The cloths selected for each scene were again of a high standard and the scene changes were swift. Well done to Stage Manager, Sue Gent, and all members of the stage crew. 

In this version of Snow White, the Fairy character is replaced by the Magic Mirror, and Adele Murray shone, literally, in this role. Dressed in the most amazing costume, Adele dazzled the audience, with her comedy timing, and she made sure the show got off to a good start with a sweet interpretation of Journey to the Past from Anastasia. As with any panto, where we have good, we must have bad. Josephine Owen played Wicked Queen Secretia and you could tell that she absolutely revelled in getting every hiss ad boo from the audience. The UV scene where the Queen poisons the apple, was clever and effective. The titular character of Snow White was played by Daisy Hardy. Hardy performed well and held her own amongst this cast of experienced performances. Kim Cooper played Prince William of Wombwell and was on thigh slapping form. Cooper looked every inch the traditional principal boy and displayed impressive vocals. Children are always excited when the seven dwarfs make their first entrance and here was no exception. I will say that having both adults and children play the dwarfs, didn’t particularly work for me, but each performer gave it their all in their respective roles, especially Gary Brearey, who played Farty. The other dwarfs were portrayed by Keira Hardy, the always impressive Jenny Dixon, Natalie Marsden, Tracey Graney, Eliza Owen & Antony Panczyk. 

As well as directing, Chris Wakeford also plays the dame. This year see’s him as Dame Nora Virus, and from his first entrance to his last, he has the audience in the palm of his hand. Wakeford is a great dame, and knows just what Wombwell audience want, and he delivers year on year. From ad-libs to crazy costumes, Chris must be exhausted at the end of each performance, as his energy is infectious and rubs off on his audience. However, the standout here is unquestionably Muddles, played to perfection by Colleen Owen. Owen knows how to work a crowd, and has the audience hanging her every word. Her handling of the prop dog, Puddles, was first rate. A great individual performance.

Many thanks to all for a great welcome , it was a great pantomime. Oh yes it was!

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