Upstagers pantomime

Snow White

King’s Hall, Ilkley

Friday, January 24

Time-honoured panto traditions are observed in the Upstagers’ magical production of Snow White written and directed by Gill Jackson.

All of the essential ingredients are there in spadefuls: enchanting scenery, pretty transformation scenes, glamorous costumes, spectacular sound and lighting effects, slapstick comedy – and plenty of opportunities to cheer the goodies and hiss and boo at the baddies.

Everyone loves Chuckles, the half-witted son of Dame Nanny Nincompoop; he tells the audience to remind him to water his plant each time he walks on stage. The genial Chuckles is played by Dalton Wood and his mum, the flamboyant pantomime dame with more outlandish costume changes than Imelda Marcos, is played by Simon Field. ‘Mother’ and ‘son’ are a hilarious double act.

Charlotte Coles is a fragrant Snow White and her handsome Prince Valentine is played by Alix Barlow in finest thigh-slapping tradition. Esme Smithson is delightful as the good Fairy Adora. Emma Williams has a whale of a time, and some wicked costumes, as the dastardly Queen Evillene – Snow White’s step-mother from hell.

Supporting roles are well taken by Tom Ramsay as Groveller and Bradley Johnson as Snivella. The seven dwarfs are charmingly played by youngsters Amelia Bradley as Bossy, Olivia Mitchell as Brainy, Lexy Goodwin as Fussy, Molly Higgitt as Smiley, Ella Hammond as Snoozy, Landon Crowther as Moaney and tiny Charity Clifford as Forgetful. Their cosy cottage deep in the forest is straight out of the finest pop-up picture book. I couldn’t possibly forget Deidre the loveable dodo played by Fergal Mullan Wilkinson, or Andrew Hewitt as the Voice of the Magic Mirror.

There is an attractive chorus of seniors, juniors, inters and tinies, while the energetic dance numbers are choreographed by Dalton Wood and Megan Crowley. The cast project the songs with personality and panache, ably supported by the excellent musical backing of Phil Walsh and his band.

Snow White continues at the King’s Hall until Saturday.

Geoffrey Mogridge