SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS: till 7 January
Poole
Michael Rose Limited presents
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Lighthouse Poole 9 December 2005 – 7 January 2006
Runs 2 hrs 10 mins with one interval
Review Hazel Brown 15 November
Loud, jolly, standard Christmas fare
The best and worst thing about this production was the live music – it was such a treat to have live musicians playing in the pit, but the worst aspect was that it and the singers were amplified to painful levels – oh yes it was! Apart from this, this was largely likeable, but fairly standard Christmas fare.
There was a splendid performance from Louise Plowright who illicited with relish all the requisite boos and hisses as the Wicked Queen. She has a good voice and delivered her songs with aplomb and bravado, particularly her unique version of her Favourite Things, sung as she concocted the poison for the apple. Shelley Otway sweetly smiled and sang winsomely throughout the production and the love duet between her and the Prince, Darren Bennett, was lovely.
The seven dwarfs (children from a local stage school with huge head masks) were delightful, even though their names had been changed from the Disney version – a touch of political correctness? - marching across the stage and waving their arms around to accompany their recorded voices.
However, there were some parts tagged onto the story merely to satisfy the panto aspects of the show. This included Nurse Slapper, Matthew Rixon’s version of a dame, who initiated a very uncomfortable humiliation of a planted granddad from the audience, shaving his legs and smearing his face and head with shaving foam. Well, I sincerely hope he was a plant!
Nurse Slapper’s costumes and wigs were outrageous and he delivered most of the double entendres meant for the grown-ups with verve and a sense of fun. Lynette McMorrough was another addition as a very fluffy, but sweet good fairy. The job of reading out birthday greetings was given to Brian Cant, a rather shaky Lord Chamberlain, which went on just a bit too long and was not very funny. There were references to current comedic hits like Little Britain, which went over my head, but appreciated the audience.
The costumes and sets were highly colourful, with a charming dolls house of a swivelling cottage for the dwarfs and a lovely scene in the Palace for the finale and curtain call. If the decibel level was to be toned down, this would be a fun Christmas treat for all the family.
The Wicked Queen: Louise Plowright
Fairy Flutter: Lynette McMorrough
Snow White: Shelley Otway
Lord Chamberlain: Brian Cant
Nurse Slapper: Matthew Rixon
Igor: Mark Osmond
The Prince: Darren Bennett
Sam, assistant to the Prince: Antony Read
Senior Chorus: Elanor Awford, Chloe Coulter, Genna Delahunty, Beatrice Gunner, Natalie Khosnevis, Charlotte Kingston, Kate Hurley, Rebecca McAteer, Charlotte McLeod
Juvenile Chorus: Hannah Adeney, Amy Barnard, Eloise Cornes, Phoebe Cornes, Rachel Dalton, Jessica Greenham, Hannah Osborne, Amy Owen, Jessica Owen, Felice Southwell, Olivia Taylor, Abbie Thompson, Karl Thompson, Megan Travers, Amy Wilson
Orchestra: Musical Director, Piano/Harp: Simon Gray, Reeds: Andrew Franks, Trumpet/Flugelhorn: Mike Potts, Drums/Percussion: Huw Jones, Keyboards: Graeme Laurence, Trombone: Steve Hayes.
Director/Choreographer: David Morgan
Musical Director: Simon Gray
Lighting Designer: Robin Cave
Set Design: Alan Miller Bunford
Assistant Choreographer: Julie Headford
2005-12-15 11:47:07