By Sally Churchward. Images by Stuart Martin.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was as brilliant and bonkers a Christmas pantomime as you could hope for.
It was a step back to a more traditional show after last year’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears, starring Jason Donovan, and featured all the key panto elements, from saucy slapstick and adult jokes (aubergine emoji anyone?) to pure panto royalty Christopher Biggins taking time out from his Man in the Mirror role to cross dress with aplomb. At the same time, it had a decidedly modern edge thanks to the goosebump raising dance routines from the simply amazing Diversity.
The show started with high energy thanks to the live orchestra – led by Anthony England – and Christopher Biggins making a dramatic entrance, resplendent in a mirrored suit and floating in on his mirror, to cheers from the packed audience, before we moved on to meet the Magnificent Seven, singing Heigh Ho and setting the scene for the familiar family panto tale, albeit with a few novel turns and some jaw dropping sets and moves.
The comic glue to the whole show was the effortlessly witty and charming performance of Kev Okian as Muddles. It would be easy to forget how well-rehearsed these shows are as he seemed to ad-lib his way through, bantering with the audience, busting moves with Diversity and cracking jokes about Southampton and Pompey.
The charismatic Ashley Banjo – as Prince Ashley – and his dance troupe Diversity as the Royal Guard burst onto the stage and were, quite frankly, ridiculously, cool. I had goosebumps watching them dance and I’m sure I was far from the only one. Their flips, leaps and expertly choreographed and executed routines elicited audible gasps from the audience and I’m sure many groups went home chatting about the rewind dance sequence.
The show also featured a more traditional ensemble of dancers, who performed stunning seasonal routines in sumptuous costumes. Many of their scenes, especially with Snow White, played by Kirsty Ingram, gave the show its magical Christmassy feel.
But, of course, where would a panto be without a baddie to hiss and boo, and Rachel Stanley delightfully rose with a cackle to the task as the evil Queen Dragonella.
This was a show with no weak links. All of the cast were stellar and executed their roles with perfection. Everyone in my party had a different favorite character (for the record it was Perri Kelly of Diversity, Christopher Biggins, Kev Orkian and Brian Wheeler of the Magnificent Seven) which was testament to how well rounded the show was.
There were stand out set pieces a-plenty. Without wishing to give away too much, there were a couple of breathtaking sets. Diversity illuminated the stage whenever any of them walked onto it. The dance off between Perri and Muddles was hilarious and the saucy slapstick of “If I was not a royal guard…” had the audience roaring.
If you’re looking for a traditional pantomime of the highest order, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ticks all the boxes, and some.
Tickets for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Saturday 9 December – Sunday 31 December 2023) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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