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17 December 2024
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5*****
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There are many lists containing the elements of what makes for a good pantomime – or any stage show for that matter – you can tick boxes if you like. With Theatre Royal Plymouth’s 2024 offering of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ just about completes a full house of ticks.
Crossroads Live never holds back on its presentation; the sets and costumes – first seen at the London Palladium a few years ago – are magnificent – as spectacles go, this is quite something. Add into the mix a delightful and perfectly executed flying sleigh with reindeer and you have something which entertains perfectly all complemented by the lighting and various effects which add extra gloss to this visual treat.
There is no panto without some story – albeit, this is generally of little importance. In this case, the story is so very well known and it is retold to fit the stars of the show and current trends. It is a story which has faced a tricky press in recent times – the forthcoming ‘live’ action version of the Disney cartoon has been in the headlines a lot – and in this instance, despite the title, I don’t believe the word ‘dwarf’ is mentioned. However, the main elements of the story are here – though a twist in the second half is wonderfully subversive! The script is very family friendly with plenty of gags and with a decent dose of light innuendo which keeps everyone laughing.
If the cast aren’t up to scratch then you are in trouble, but the audience is in safe hands here – the cast is strong and with plenty of panto nous. As the wicked queen, the diminutive Lesley Joseph (who will enter her 9th decade next year) commands the stage with regular nods to her most famous role. Rob Rinder appears to have huge fun camping it up as The Man in The Mirror, throwing in some of his dance moves and a cartwheel to boot; he holds his own. The ever-excellent Samuel Holmes is outstanding as Snow White’s Governess, Lady Samantha; his voice is crisp, clear and along with consummate performance skills he is tremendous. Local comedian Andy Ford – with his own very distinctive style is just brilliant – he works an audience as well as anyone and understands panto completely. With well planned apparent mistakes and verbal lapses – not least in the tongue twister sequence, which is very funny, if a little too long – this quartet are pretty well faultless. Add in two leads – Briana Craig (as Snow White) and Scott Maurice (as Prince William) who do all that is asked of them, plus The Magnificent Seven, the jolly band of small people who are fun and lively (though don’t have too much to do) and an excellent song and dance ensemble of adults supplemented by a band of local children – well, you have a great cast.
Songs do not outstay their welcome and the choreography is tight and effective; the music is played with gusto (though the sound balance does take a while to settle down; at the outset very little can be heard over the band) by the band under Duncan Waugh. Jonathan Kiley directs with an emphasis on keeping entertainment to the fore.
Initial sound issues aside this show is spot on. The plot is largely ditched in the second half in favour of the ‘variety show’ approach – but there is enough to keep the story going.
At just over two hours including the interval, this is the perfect length – the engagement of the audience is constant and those boxes are ticked. All of them. This is a very traditional pantomime for our times and shows how the formula (when it is followed well) still works, and works a treat.
Cast
Queen Dragonella – Lesley Joseph
The Man in the Mirror – Rob Rinder
Muddles – Andy Ford
Lady Samantha – Samuel Holmes
Princess Snow White – Briana Craig
The Magnificent Seven – Jamie John, Josh Bennett, Scott English, Kyle Herd, Jack Hilton, Abbie Purvis, Craig Salisbury
Ensemble – Abigail Chown, Amelie Cohen, Lewis Easter, George Fryer, Maeia Houston, Dylan McDonald, Nathan Ryles, Jaya Villiers
Junior Ensemble – The Theatre Royal Junior Ensemble
Understudy – Sarah Bennett
Creatives
Writer – Alan McHugh
Additional Material – Andy Ford & Matt Slack
Director – Jonathan Kiley
Choreographer – Joanna Goodwin
Musical Director – Duncan Waugh
Costume Designer – Teresa Nalton
Speciality Costume Design & Construction – Mike Coltman
Lighting Design – Andrew Exeter
Sound Design – Tom Lishman
Special FX – The Twins FX
Video & Projection Designer – Duncan McLean
A CROSSROADS LIVE PRODUCTION
