Review: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
If you were to say 'Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, which is the fairest panto of all' it would probably reply Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, playing at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.
If you were to say 'Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, which is the fairest panto of all' it would probably reply Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, playing at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.
The pantomime is such a wonderful British institution that it is great to find one that ticks all the boxes – great singing, colourful costumes, brilliant baddie and plenty of gags.
Grumbleweeds duo Robin Colvill and Graham Walker are hilarious as Muddles and Oddjob. It's a true skill to provide humour that suits both children and adults and they get the balance just right and have the audience howling with laughter.
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Of course, no panto is complete without a baddie and Linda Lusardi's decision to switch from leading lady to wicked queen was the right one.
She certainly made her villainy believable – in no other setting would an audience yell out that the former Page 3 darling was really 'ugly' except on the panto stage.
The children loved yelling abuse and the boos got louder as the night wore on.
Sam Kane brings sophistication to the role of the prince but it is in his role as director that he deserves praise.
Snow White isn't necessarily one of the strongest panto tales, but he turns it into a very entertaining evening.
There were also plenty of dazzling costumes and special effects, including a swift transformation scene, a brilliant flying broomstick and, of course, the speaking magic mirror.
Singing always plays an important role in panto and this production has some beautiful voices with 2007 X Factor star Niki Evans and Eloise Irving, as Snow White, standing out.
This is an enchanting, hilarious panto for young and old that certainly puts a smile on your face. Oh yes it does!
Judith Sanders
