Snow White & the Seven Dwarves

This panto got off to a flying start and the young chorus performed an enthusiastic opening number.  This was the first performance so I was expecting to make a few allowances for technical issues.  I was right, the mics that the dwarves were using gave the sound engineer a few problems, however it didn’t help that not all the performers projected enough for the mics to pick up their dialogue.  Given that they were inside large heads it is vital that the actors project more than normal to ensure we can hear the dialogue. 

However I really loved the heads and well worth the effort!  I was also impressed by the amount of time these performers were on stage as chorus; the costume changes must have been a bit frenetic!  They all deserve a mention; Daisy Perry (Dippy) Abigail Davies (Weary) Maree Gaskin (Awkward) Leanne Manton (Rapper) Stephanie Bassett (Valiant) Sue Newman (Embarrassed) and Emma Newman (Snooty) well done to all, they certainly enhanced the show.

Melissa Barraclough was a suitably scary Wicked Queen, and she produced an excellent performance.  Trevor Bavin played the tax collector extremely well, I am used to seeing him dressed as the dame, so this performance was a revelation and very well done. Trevor Marsh was simply outstanding as Muddles, although even he blanched at the prospect of the majority of the children from the audience being on stage for the sing-a-long!  I hope the numbers were reduced for the rest of the run as it was a bit chaotic!   All the other Principals played their parts well and the singing was, in the main, very good.  Just a few issues with projection and mic balance.  Choreography was well done and the dancers were well rehearsed, making the visual impact of the dances very strong.

I did feel the pace was rather slow and the show lasted for two and a half hours with the interval which is really too long for an audience which was 80% children.  There was a lot of talking from members of the audience, who were also going out for breaks which is a sure sign that the action is not holding their attention.  It is a failing with a lot of panto scripts when the author tries to put so much traditional panto stuff in.  Better to cut some of it out and do what is left effectively.  A good timing for a panto is maximum one and a half hours with the interval.

The scenery and costumes were, as always with Merlin, outstanding and full credit to the backstage crew who moved the scenery and cloths as efficiently as possible.  Overall a good show which would benefit from a shorter running time!

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