Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
The last few years have seen the Grand’s pantos attracting ever larger audiences and breaking box office records and this year’s offering from Wales’s second city looks set to continue the trend.
This year’s big draw is Gillian Taylforth, whose presence has once again raised the age-old question of whether soap stars belong in panto. Happily, her OTT approach is ideally suited to her role as the Wicked Queen - even if her accent might not be entirely regal.
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Comedic capers come from local favourite Kevin Johns, who brings his local knowledge and love of all things Welsh to his role as Nurse Rhondda, while Fogwell Flax captures the hearts of young and old alike in his role as Muddles. Sterling support comes from Frank Vickery as Chambers, with Rochelle Smith as a winsome Cinderella and Simon Lipkin as the Prince.
Strong contributions, too, from the predominantly young and athletic performers, who portray the seven dwarfs as individuals with their own distinct identities.
Plus points include the almost total lack of modern chartbusters, with an original selection of songs composed by Olly Ashmore, and some eye-catching sets. Points deducted, however, for the decidedly anti-climactic aftermath of Snow White’s bite into the poisoned apple - she is only unconscious for a matter of seconds before being brought back from the brink by a kiss from the Prince.
A slick and nicely staged production, which should set box office tills merrily jingling for the remainder of the run.
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*giggles*
