The Snow Queen

From the moment I arrived at Cannington Village Hall, the warmth of the
welcome set the tone for a truly enjoyable evening. Director Sarah greeted
me with genuine enthusiasm, and I was especially grateful to John for taking
the time to guide me on a brief tour of the backstage areas before the
performance began. It offered a lovely glimpse into the heart of the society
and the care that goes into bringing a show like this to life. The hall itself is a
gem - full of character, beautifully maintained, and clearly cherished by the
community. Seeing it so vibrantly used by the Cannington Pantomime
Society year after year is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved.
Reaching your 25th year is no small achievement, and it’s clear you must be
doing something very right to sustain such enthusiasm, talent and community
spirit over a quarter of a century.
Settled into our VIP seats at the front, we both felt welcomed and valued in
an atmosphere that perfectly set the stage for an evening of pantomime
magic. This was a joyful celebration of community spirit, creativity, and
dedication. The support from the local audience was evident from the
moment the doors opened, and that sense of sheer pride carried right
through the performance. The atmosphere in the Village Hall was so warm,
reflecting the society’s deep roots in the community.
The costumes were a standout triumph. Every detail had been carefully
considered and the result was a visually rich and cohesive production. The
ensemble looked consistently polished and unified, which added real depth
to the stage pictures. The Snow Queen‘s costume in particular was
exceptional, striking, elegant and absolutely worthy of a West End stage. The
contrast between characters was also handled beautifully giving the show a
strong visual identity.
The cast delivered lively and engaging performances, clearly enjoying every
moment on stage KAY and GERDA anchored the storyline with charm and
energy guiding the audience through the adventure with confidence.
SNOWBALL and JACK FROST were comedic highlights, funny, mischievous,
and just the right amount of menace, always with a wink to the audience.
Their chemistry brought great momentum to the show. THE NARRATOR

provided clarity and structure ensuring the story was easy to follow and

keeping the pace moving smoothly.
DAME GRANNY ROSE and HANDY ANDY added plenty of humour, with their
unique talents and well timed interactions. GRANDFATHER, THE MAYOR, the
MAYORESS/ OLD LADY, and the SUMMER QUEEN all contributed strongly
with the Summer Queen offering a lovely counterbalance to the SNOW
QUEENS icy presence.
The Snow Queen herself deserves a special mention. Her performance was
commanding believable and beautifully delivered and those eyes, so
effective. Excellent casting that elevated the entire production.
SET, STAGING AND TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT.
The set was terrifically vibrant, imaginative and wonderfully painted. Having
seen some of the backstage workings earlier It was impressive to watch how
seamlessly everything came together during the performance. Scene
changes were smooth, and the colours and designs added real magic to the
storyline. This production was a testament to what a dedicated community
group can achieve, heart, humour, teamwork, and a shared love of theatre. It
honoured the society 25th year legacy while showcasing the talent and
enthusiasm that would carry it forward for many more seasons to come.
CHOREOGRAPHY
The choreography for this show was well crafted and consistently effective,
making full use of the stage without ever tipping into clutter or distraction.
Each number felt purposeful, with movement patterns that kept the space
alive and visually engaging. What stood out most was the choreographers
clear understanding of the casts individual strengths. Every performer was
given material that suited their abilities allowing them to shine confidently.
The result was a set of routines that were not only pleasing to watch, but also
inclusive, polished, and well balanced. Well done.
DIRECTOR
Congratulations on your ninth year at the helm. Your experience really
showed through. The production moved with a confident steady pace that
kept the audience engaged from start to finish. Scenes flowed cleanly into
one another, and the balance between story, comedy, and musical moments
felt well judged. It’s clear you understand how to bring the best out of your
cast and the company responded with committed, energetic performances
throughout. One area that could lift future productions even further is the

script. A fresher script maybe? Or even just updating some of the long-
standing gags would give the cast even more to work with. There’s a wealth

of inspiration and modern panto humour available online, and a few tweaks
could make the comedy feel sharper and more current.

Even so, the cast made the most of what they had, delivering the material
with enthusiasm and charm. Overall, your direction was confident well paced,
and rooted in a real understanding of community theatre. Nine years in and
you continue to guide the show with skill, warmth, and a clear love for the
tradition.
Thank you so much for a lovely evening.
Best wishes
Mike Purnell

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