Glitzy, glossy and full of razzmatazz, Crossroads Pantomimes’ engaging Snow White is exactly what big budget pantos are all about: much singing, dancing, pyrotechnics, sumptuous costumes, jokes and slapstick.
Lesley Joseph (Birds of a Feather, Sister Act and ITV’s Love Your Weekend) is resplendent as the wickedest Queen Dragonella, desperate to be the fairest in the land and aiming to get her cougar claws into the hunky Prince William of West Hoe played by West End stalwart Scott Maurice (The Lion King, The Prince of Egypt, Ghost The Musical, Thriller Live!). Her fourth wall breaks and corpsing are delightful and believeable.
In contrast to the spiteful stuff of which the Queen is made, saccharine stepdaughter Princess Snow White (Briana Craig, star of The Artist and Sadler Wells’s 42nd Street international tour) is naïve, kind and believes in love at first sight but is an unwitting rival for the Prince’s affections—and top totty crown—so must die.
Plymothian and West End’s Samuel Holmes (Shrek the Musical, Mrs Henderson Presents, Carl Rosa Opera Company) returns, statuesque, strident and deadpan as Lady Samantha, the Governess, particularly superb in the sushi-selling and shoeshine sisters’ tongue-twister battle with Joseph, while daft and delightful Andy Ford—whose comedic prowess has been recognised with an induction into the Panto Archive Hall of Fame—returns as Muddles the Court Jester. His cheeky chappie persona is a hit with the kids and a relief for parents as bum, boob and fart jokes are (almost) the lowest level to which his humour stoops.
With Samantha and Muddles defying the Queen’s orders to take Snow White into the woods and kill her, The Magnificent Seven—Professor played by Proud Scotland Award, Performer of the Year winner Jamie John (Lady Boys of Bangkok, See How They Run and aka Miss DQ); Cranky (Josh Bennett: Seven Dwarves, Friday Night Project, Life’s Too Short); Cheery (Scott English: Get Santa, Reggie Perrin); Sniffy (Craig Salisbury: Harry Potter, 10th Kingdom); Silly (Abbie Purvis: Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror, River City); Nervy (chef and social care educator Jack Hilton: Paranormal Misfits, The Witcher); Snoozy (Kyle Herd: an ubiquitous Snow White cast member) (and with Josh’s mum Sarah Bennett (Teachers) as understudy) step in to look after our erstwhile heroine.
The unexpected delight as The Man In The Mirror is the seven shades of fabulous, athletic TV presenter, novelist and barrister Rob Rinder (MBE), who oozes charisma and commands the stage (at odds with the Rob & Rylan’s Grand Tour somewhat shy persona) with Arab spring and high kicks in a shimmering silver get-up and long boots. Tremendous.
All the while, a fulsome ensemble hoof Busby Berkeley-like in Mike Coltman’s fur-lined satins and frothy petticoats (or polar bear outfits), while a host of children bolster the ranks with sweet set pieces thanks to choreographer Joanna Goodwin.
Duncan Waugh conducts the live orchestra (which at times swamps the voices) and there is a bit of sibilance on the mics, but they fade to insignificance with the abounding fun. Sets are larger-than-life, colourful and glittery, while The Twins FX never disappoint with superb effects—here (spoiler alert) a magical flying Santa’s sleigh and reindeer.
Add local references and just the right amount of songs (including the ever-popular “Twelve Days of Christmas”, here featuring loo rolls and smelly socks) for a lavish, slick, festive feast of frivolity—the self-proclaimed Fairest Panto In The Land.
Reviewer: Karen Bussell