Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs

Well, here we go. My first report of 2025 and it is for the highly entertaining panto, ‘Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs’ brought to audiences this time by the North Ormesby Minstrels.

A warm welcome from Jan Lewis, Chair of the Society was waiting for me as I arrived at the Trinity Centre which once again had been transformed into a Theatre for the week of the show. Entering the auditorium, there was an open set dressed simply as half forest, half castle accompanied by effective mood lighting.

A strong opening number was enjoyed by the audiences with lovely vocals coming from the cast who were in bright costumes befitting the era of the panto with obviously the iconic costume of Snow White as well.

Leading the pack as Snow White was Melissa O’Neill who was perfect for the part. Her interaction with both the cast and audience was spot on and not once did the “Disney princess” vibe leave her. This is what the younger audiences come to see and you can see their faces light up when the heroine enters the stage. Her stage presence was great as was her voice. Never easy being the title role but she pulled it off effortlessly.

Her counterpart was the highly likeable Prince Ferdinand played by Katie Shepherd. Katie’s tallness and ‘cheeky chappy’ vibe really made her a great choice for the part. Again, good vocals and choreography and her on stage romance with Snow White came across and loving and adorable to the audience.

Poppy Short was Fairy Fortune this year and she had the biggest task of all, getting the audience on side from the very beginning. She managed it effortlessly and with ease. The audience loved her. Well done!

Gita Bhanvra brought to life the evil Queen Avarice with ease it seemed haha! She worked the audience well to get the ‘boos’ and the ‘hisses’ which added the fuel to her fiery character. She performed well on stage both in a solo capacity and with other cast members and never once broke character, keeping the evil stare at all times. Never easy especially in panto, but she managed it.

Her sidekick was Merlin, played by Garry Dring. I really liked his characterisation and loved the way they created the magic mirror on the wall. Was nice also that he managed to have some air - time on the stage haha. Can’t have been easy in that wig and beard!

Jill Stephenson and Marty Maenami, as usual were the two panto comedians of the show. Jill as Dame Edina Bucket and Marty as Chuckles the Jester. Both played their parts extremely well. Never easy being the comic as they have to have the audience on side immediately. Jill’s costumes and witty one-liners made for a great time and Marty…..you are so much trouble with that Supersoaker! Both of you, well done.

Isaac Short as Slurp the Henchman, Zac Forrest as Justice Quill and Edward Cook-Smith as Scribbles the Scribe brought lively and funny characters to the stage, each in their own unique way. Great characters to have their own take on. Well done.

Ava Mickleright (Brainy), Libby Bulman (Grumbly), Lucy Allen (Snoozy), Emilia Bulman (Smiley), Rumur Holley (Dozy), Frankie Short (Blushful) and Annie-Mae Usher (Sniffle) had the great task of bringing the 7 dwarfs to life. Each of them held their own throughout the show and all were very funny! Delivering witty lines perfectly and you could tell they were all having a ball on stage.

Bringing the company full circle were the small numbered yet powerful Chorus of Katie Allen, Karen Coates, Stephanie Dring, Emma Lonsdale, Helen Lonsdale, Marie Turnbull, Laura Weir and Rebekah Wrigglesworth. All bringing power to the musical numbers with excellent choreography and vocals. Again, just showing how much they enjoy themselves on stage.

Well done to the creative crew of Director Marie Turnbull, Choreogrpahers Katie Allen, Hannah Burn, Alice Maenami and Marie Turnbull and Children’s Director Lesley Maenami on creating a great evening’s entertainment.

Can’t wait to see what the future has for us, the audience later in the year from this truly lovely bunch of thespians.

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