Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Synopsis

Hiss at the Wicked Queen, laugh at the comic Seven Dwarfs and fall in love with the beautiful and innocent Snow White.

Our Review:

21 December 2004

There may be seven real-life dwarfs in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but there's only one Lily Savage, who is larger-than-life in every way and not just in comparison. Consider her Wicked Queen's jealous retort to the fact that Snow White has seven men in her entourage, but they're only small: "Stack them up and make one big one!" (In fact, one is actually played by a woman - the tiniest and most personally endearing dwarf I've ever seen - but we'll let that bit of sexual confusion pass: this is, after all, panto where androgyny rules.)

It's the indomitable Lily Savage who is both the pulse and point of this panto. Returning to the show for a fifth time - since 1999, she's done Christmas stints in it in Birmingham, Southampton, Manchester and Bristol - she's poisonous, treacherous, villainous and hilarious. "Sit down or I'll hit you", she admonishes an unruly child. "Shut that child up," she tells the parents of another, "before I do." If only child care ...

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Latest User Review

80.42.99.83) - 28 December 2004:

On the night that my family and I went to see Snow White (Victoria Palace), Boxing Night, Paul O'Grady was indisposed! This was due to an untimely bout of flu and a chest infection. However, the evening was saved by the brilliant Fogwell Flax, who stepped into Paul O'Grady's/Lily Savage's stilletos at the last minute. This, together with a seamless cast change, led to a totally fanatstic evening. Fogwell has the same ascerbic, scouse delivery as Paul O'Grady and so for that performance we had Lily Savage's previously unknown sister on stage! Given that Paul O'Grady's role had been co-written by Paul O'Grady himself, the deliciously savage wit (pardon the pun!)of Lily Savage was delivered to perfection by Fogwell Flax. Each insult was lashed into the audience like a razor-tipped bull whip! For instance, when commenting on the audience in the circle "the elephant man wouldn't look out of place amongst that lot! They all came in with bags over their heads!", also " Where's my handbag.... Ah, here it is... Botox, perfume, kebab and a brick. Everything for a night out in London!" And " What's that smell... of snot and poo rolled up in an old sock? Ah yes. children!" Then, when asking for an ingredient whilst preparing the famous poisoned apple, he was asked "...and what's the magic word?" to which Fogwell sliced back with "NOW!" instead of the expected 'Please'. My young daughter was particularly impressed with that! And when asked (as in the script) that the Evil Queen must be 'going soft', Fogwell replied" I must be going soft ... to do this performance at 3 hours notice!" This was rewarded with a heart-felt cheer from the audience!Also, in the same vein, when the Evil Queen calls out "Guards!" only one guard appears, to which Fogwell responds " I should say Guard... the others have got the flu aswell!" Again, another cheer. Needless, to say Fogwell Flax stole the show. But the remainder of the cast put in a commendable performance aswell, given the reshuffle. The Magnificient Seven were a joy as the Seven Dwarves with typical panto fayre and wonderfuly corny one-liners. And as a bonus, all those who saw this remarkable performance have also been rewarded with the promise of a second sitting (free of charge!) once Paul O'Grady returns! What joy that promises to be, Fogwell Flax AND Paul O'Grady in the same show! We all wish Paul O'Grady a speedy recovery, but if Fogwell Fax remains in such acidic form then Paul O'Grady's return may be to that of Fogwell's understudy! A magical evening. ...

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