A traditional panto with a twist – on now until Sunday 14th January 2024 – for details of dates, times and current ticket availability visit the Theatre Royal website or call the box office on 01284769505.
It’s the day of Snow White’s 21st birthday and the palace is getting ready for a party, but where’s the birthday girl? Well this is a very 21st century Snow White so she’s in her overalls fixing her motorbike when Sir Nicholas of Norwich arrives for the festivities and to try and woo her. Meanwhile trusty palace workers Gladys and panto Dame Dusty Crevice are making the place spick and span with the help of Corky the Corgi, their pet dog.
Dusty Crevice isn’t the only dame in this panto though! In a tremendous coup, the voice of the magic mirror is none other than Dame Judi Dench, one of the life patrons of the theatre, and making her panto debut, lending her distinctive tones, in pre-recorded pieces, to the show. The magic mirror belongs to evil Lady Lucretia, Snow White’s stepmother, who should hand back the crown as Queen, now Snow White has come of age, but is hatching a dastardly plan, with her faithful butler Grumble, to remain on the throne and get rid of her stepdaughter once and for all.
Snow White is banished to Bradfield Woods narrowly escaping with her life and there she meets the seven scouts who will save her.
Photo Credit: Tom Soper – Snow White, Dusty Crevice and Glady
This is a traditional panto with many modern day twists, which I loved. A strong, feisty yet caring and compassionate leading lady, Lara lewis is perfect as Snow White, covered in bike oil and happier in trousers than a posh frock, Lara has a beautiful singing voice and is absolutely charming in the role.
Snow White’s best friend is Gladys, palace worker and local Scout leader, played with boundless energy by Philippa Carson, who made the most of the puns and fart gags and had the kids and adults giggling with great comic timing. I loved how this main comedy character was a women, a part that is often associated with a male character like Buttons or Wishy Washy. Lizzie Buckingham has a hard task as a character with no lines yet is a very real presence on stage as Corky the Corgi and gets laughs with wonderful physical comedy.
Talking of physical comedy it was lovely to see a traditional panto ‘slosh’ scene brought back with Gladys and Craig Painting, as panto dame Dusty Crevice, re-enacting one of the most famous of all time, the decorating sketch. I was thrilled to see it delighting a whole new audience as it’s a panto classic and was done to perfection. Craig’s Dusty is a wonderful panto dame with lines that border- just- on the right side of rude enough for the adults to get it, but for it to go over the kids heads, and she has great fun with the audience.
Beth Tuckey is a having villainous time as wicked Lady Lucretia, resplendent in a glorious purple and black costume and deliciously evil. She is joined by Peter Baker as her butler Grumble, who has an air of Lord Snooty mixed with Kenneth Williams and plays the part beautifully.
Photo Credit: Tom Soper – Queen Lucretia and Grumble
Zachary Pang makes a dapper Sir Nicholas of Norwich who very sweetly doesn’t feel confident with his corny chat up lines to Snow White, and the cast is completed by two teams of seven young dancers/actors, who alternate performances, and are step and note perfect in their routines as palace staff and especially as the scouts Snow White meets in the forest.
I want to make special mention to the lighting and sound design, which I thought was superb and up in the gallery, where I was sitting, you get a fabulous view of how the lighting plays out on the set floor. You also see how hard the operatives work and how much fun they have, as you are sat with them as they work all the equipment. For a theatre geek like me it’s fascinating.
This is a really beautiful, inclusive family show, and on the website there’s even an easy read and visual story guide for any audience who may need additional support or could experience sensory overload, so that they can come completely prepared.
Snow White runs until 14th January 2024 – see the website for more details Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
SUFFOLK THEATRE 