Snow White panto has fairytale end as Hi Ho is highlight

A village pantomime near Shrewsbury finally had its fairytale ending after getting involved in a transatlantic battle to perform a Disney song.

The Bayston Hall village pantomime held its first performance of Snow White in the village's memorial hall in front of an audience of about 100 people last night.

And members of the cast raised the roof with their version of Disney song Hi Ho, following a long-running campaign to include the song in the show.

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Organiser Judy Shone had initially hoped to use it alongside Someday, My Prince Will Come, but became embroiled in a complicated and lengthy battle to be granted the right to use the song which started back in November, contacting organisations such as the Performing Rights Society and Disney itself.

She eventually discovered that New York-based Bourne Music Publishers held the rights and contacted them to find out how much it would cost.

And after her efforts, she was surprised to find the bill to use one of the songs was just £18.

Mrs Shone said the song - and the rest of the show - had gone down well with the audience.

"It went well and we had an excellent audience, who really got into it. We sang Hi Ho with great gusto to get our money's worth," she added.

The show is on for the rest of the week at the Memorial Hall. Tickets are priced at £4.50 for adults and £2.50 for children. To book tickets call (01743) 872154 or 873721.