SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS till 11 January 2009
Stafford
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Regent Theatre to 11 January 2009.
Performance times: Varies, 10.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm (Check with box office).
No performance 16, 25 Dec, 1, 6 Jan.
Audio Described: 17 Dec: 10.30am, 8 Jan: 7.30pm.
Signed Performance: 15 Dec: 10.30am & 7.30pm.
Runs: 2hr 30 min; one interval.
Tickets: 0870 060 6649
www.theambassadors.com/tickets/stoke-on-trent/regent
Review: Sammy Dedicoat, 11 December 2008-12-13
It does exactly what it says on the tin.
After weeks of anticipation, the curtain’s finally up at the Regent Theatre’s one million pound pantomime production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It marks the beginning to what can only be described as one of the very best.
The pantomime does what it exactly says on the tin - and more. The comedy is fantastic, the audience interaction is cheesy fun, the traditional shouts of ‘he’s behind you’ are a-plenty, the songs manage to get your feet tapping, jokes are thrown out from all direction for all ages, and audiences are left with that warm, festive feeling that makes you uncontrollably excited about Christmas.
It’s not surprising that Jonathan Wilkes (Prince Charming) has returned for his fourth consecutive pantomime on the Regent’s stage - the Stoke audiences love him more than they love oatcakes - and who can blame them. This local lad just has to be himself for audiences to love him but add his endless knock about gags and you have no choice but to surrender to his charm.
Providing another fabulous performance is the ever-so lovely, Claire Sweeney (AKA the Wicked Queen), who dresses like a devil goddess, provides copious amounts of wickedness, and, as any good villain should, manages to have audiences booing and hissing at the slightest hint of her presence.
Stoke’s top talent winner, Daniel Hewitt, makes a great acting debut. The young prince not only shows off his singing voice but also commands the stage with his acting - surely a star in the making.
Without giving too much away, there are also plenty of other surprises for audiences to feast their eyes upon including some great performances from more familiar faces, flawlessly choreographed dance routines, and an incredibly talented young ensemble.
A thoroughly enjoyable pantomime and one that fails to leave you without a smile at the end. In the words of the Magic Mirror: ‘The Regent’s Panto is the best one of them all’.
Cast:
Muddles: Jonathan Wilkes.
Wicked Queen: Claire Sweeney.
Henchman: Christian Patterson.
Snow White: Chloe-Jean Bishop.
Prince: Daniel Hewitt.
Prof: Mike Edmonds.
Grumbly: Peter Burroughs.
Blusher: Hayley Burroughs.
Loopy: Danny Blackner.
Snoozy: Claire Hall.
Sneeky: Bradley Hall.
Cheeky: Binde Johal
Villagers: Alexandra Risbridger, Carla Moorby, Oliver Ingman, Edd Hall, Lauren Woolridge, Mikey Frome.
Director: Matt Salisbury, Assistant Director: Warwick Davis, Set and Costume Designer: Terry Parsons, Written by: Eric Potts, Additional Material by: Steve Womack, Choreographer: Nikki Wheeler, Lighting Designer: John Tapster, Sound Designer: Orbital Sound, Assistant Production Manager: Stuart Graham, Juvenile Co-Ordinator: Cherry Riley, Musical Director: Tor Underseth, Musical Supervisor, Musical Arrangements and Orchestrations: Chris Hatt, Bass Guitar: Jonathan Jarvis, Drums: James Morley, Reeds: Tony Bruce, Trumpet: Andy Dallimore, Company Stage Manager: Matt Salisbury, Deputy Stage Manager: Mary Browning, Assistant Stage Manager: Fiona Coombe, Wardrobe Mistress: Kelly McMahon, Wardrobe Assistant: Catherine Powell.
2008-12-15 08:49:52