Reviews

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (King's Lynn – panto)

Chris Jordan pantomimes are usually among the best of the commercial variety around. Some how “Snow White” slips below this high standard.

Anne Morley-Priestman
London
Hannah Boyce & Bradley Clarkson (promotional image).
Hannah Boyce & Bradley Clarkson (promotional image).

Queen Narcissa – and does she fancy herself! – is played by Sue Holdeness. In attendance are her henchman Hector (Adam Newstead) – we're never quite sure precisely what his duties entail – and herbivore vegetarian huntsman Herbie (Ben Thornton).

Narcissa currently fancies the wandering Prince of Sofari (Bradley Clarkson). He, not being a fool, prefers Hannah Boyce's gentle Snow White. All the princials have strong singing voices.

Can co-author Ian Marr's Dame Dorothea (known as Dottie) help her nurseling to a happy ending? Well, what do you think? Mind you, we take quite a lot of getting there.

Cleverly, this production uses the young dancers as the dwarves who rescue Snow White when she is left in the forest. They wear oversize masks and mime to recorded voices; it's a concept which works very well.

On the opening night not everything went to plan – that's what can happen when you rely overmuch on technology for special effects – with an often blank and silent mirror. Adam Scown is the choreographer for the energetic dance scenes with musical direction by Mike Tandy.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs at the Corn Exchange, King's Lynn until 31 December.