Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Birmingham)

As Britain’s biggest pantomime enters the New Year, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is still going strong at Birmingham Hippodrome with its impressive line-up of stars from Britain’s stage and screen.

Produced by Qdos Pantomimes and directed by Michael Harrison, the Hippodrome’s winning formula for festive entertainment seems mostly unaltered.

Gok Wan makes his pantomime debut in the show and whilst his appearance receives a huge welcome from the audience, his rendition of Sister Act’s Fabulous, Baby! should perhaps be left to the singers in the company. Gary Wilmot is everything you want from a panto Dame; funny, rude, charming and terrifically dressed. Matt Slack as Oddjob (doing his best Brian Conley impersonation) keeps the kids entertained with his silly slapstick humour that is perfectly fitting for the aura of the show.

Stage veterans Stephanie Beacham (Queen Sadista) and John Partridge (Prince John) add some experience and glamour to the cast. Supported by Over The Rainbow winner Danielle Hope as Snow White, the show is full of a talented ensemble cast.

Paul Zerdin steals the show as Muddles and his puppet Sam. His comedic persona is perfectly fitting for his hilarious gags with the audience. When he invites members of the audience on to the stage (in this case it’s ‘Ugly Scott’), he seems in his element.

Although not as spectacularly visual as previous years, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs still packs a punch as the place to be this pantomime season.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs plays at Birmingham Hippodrome until February 2.