Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs

Heigh-Ho Heigh- Ho it’s off to work we go is from one of the top six pantomimes brought to the stage over the last 50 years. We have come to expect  fun, laughter and a witty  script but above all the performance needs to entertain and on all fronts this production delivered a high quality piece of magical theatre that judging by audience response appealed  to young and old alike.

This delightful fairy tale story was brought to life with charismatic characters, toe-tapping song and dance numbers and very cleverly constructed sets – plus plenty of comedy from an excellent principal line up supported by a talented ensemble of all ages including the outstanding dwarfs and other younger members of the cast.

Snow White (Kirsty Bul) was played delightfully throughout, enhanced by one of many strong vocal performances including with passion and expression “On My Own” and there was an accomplished performance from her Prince ( Jonathan Southall) with a good deal of thigh slapping in the process.

The Wicked Queen, Queen Avarice, (Melanie Brown) was admirably played both to her fellow performers and the audience who at the drop of a hat hissed and booed in appropriate places. Her instructions or should I say commands to Slurp (Glyn Diggett) who in a rope belted oversize coat deftly dragged himself across the stage just about remembering which foot was the lame one. Very funny too!.

From the start Chuckles (Sam Jeffrey), very effectively delivered a string of exceptional one liner jokes which would not be out of place a box of luxury crackers. Further comedy was very well performed by the pedantic legal team of Justice Quill (James Cowlishaw) and Scribbles (Poppy Cooksey) who between them sustained a theme based on how current technological terms are based against previous word definitions like Apple, iPad and eye patches, lap dogs and lap tops. Very much funnier live than can be recorded in print.  A special mention too of many references to short notice, short staffed and short stay in dialogue amongst the dwarfs.

The traditional Dame, Edna Bucket (David Hatfield) gave a commanding performance working his audience to the maximum including him featuring in a brilliant mirror reflection sketch. Fairy Good Fortune (Glynis Smith) having appeared in her first Norbury Panto in 1963 played her role with enormous authority in a magnificent dress, just one of the extensive variety of costumes in vibrant colour and quality.

The other principal players Spirit (Jessie Dutton) and Merlin of the Magic Mirror ( Mat Jeffrey) both delivered admirable performances.

This was a thoroughly entertaining production in terms of imaginative direction an innovative set, superb humour that did not tire the audience and a repertoire of well-chosen musical numbers ably performed by all on stage, supported by a dynamic well balanced band.

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