Review: CUADC/Footlights Pantomime 2024: Snow White

The bells are jingling, Christmas trees are appearing everywhere, Mariah Carey has defrosted, Bridgemas is officially upon us. What better way to celebrate than with the CUADC Panto? This year it’s a classic — Snow White. A timeless tale filled with adventure, love, challenges, and, of course, a fabulous villain. It was such a delight to watch!

Singing, dancing, comedy, childish fairy tale and adult innuendos all come together wonderfully in this production. The writers, Lizzy Riley and Alice Roberts, did an amazing job in adapting the script. They managed to tell this iconic story with a few twists, keeping great balance between storytelling and humorous additions. For instance, the dwarfs had different names, with the originals sprinkled throughout the show via extremely silly puns, for the audience to roll their eyes at and delightfully chuckle. The storytelling was engaging, with a perfectly paced first act, though the finale felt slightly rushed. Overall, it was a charming and well-crafted take on a timeless tale.

Image credits: Chris Wordsworth

The cast brought the characters to life with energy and skill. Julia Da Costa shone as Snow White, capturing her sweet naivety with charm. Her singing was great, though occasionally overshadowed by the music. Marta Zalicka as the Dame Trudy Wench was wonderful, delivering impeccable comedic timing and dramatic flair without overdoing it. Orlando Oliver gave a memorable performance as Prince Charming, with his love song to Snow White being a particular highlight, showcasing his strong vocal talent. Greg Worden, as the narrator, set the tone beautifully from the start and guided the story seamlessly throughout.

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The character that stood out the most was the villain, the magnificent, marvellous Evil Queen Grismerelda. Played by Toby Trusted, this character was definitely my favourite. Toby expertly brought Grismerelda’s envy, jealousy, and scheming nature to life. Their laugh was brilliantly sinister, and even the hand movements exuded pure malice. On top of that, Toby’s singing was exceptional — a captivating voice brimming with emotion elevated every song to new heights. It was an incredibly strong performance. The audience couldn’t get enough of Queen Grismerelda, often cheering the villain instead of booing, breaking panto tradition.

Image credits: Chris Wordsworth

Snow White wouldn’t be Snow White without the seven (six?) dwarfs. I particularly enjoyed Samuel McGuinness’ performance as Creepy, a wonderfully amusing character, and an impressive Camdram debut for this talented actor. Samuel’s dancing, likely influenced by his ballet background, was a highlight—graceful and full of energy. Another dwarf that stood out was Funky, portrayed by Kohuné Aziz-Kamara, also making her Camdram debut. Her voice was stunning, though she only had a few songs, and I look forward to seeing her take on more musical roles in the future. Another performance I have to mention is of George Dickenson as the Huntsman — his facial expressions were always on point, and his performance during “Dancing” was simply marvellous. Together, the cast delivered a truly delightful and well-rounded performance, letting their characters’ personalities shine through even in group numbers.

The audience interactions were a bit underwhelming, though it’s hard to say whether it was due to a lack of enthusiasm from the crowd or if the actors’ delivery didn’t quite hit the mark. That said, Dame’s playful flirting with the audience was a fun touch, and the Queen’s banter with a heckler added some much-needed spice to the mix.

Image credits: Chris Wordsworth

The set design, costumes, lights, and music seamlessly came together, making this panto feel truly magical. The set designer, Yasmin Herron-Isa, did an outstanding job creating beautiful, varied scenery that seamlessly transitioned from laundry rooms to enchanted forests. The painted backdrops were stunning, and I especially appreciated the apples scattered through the castle scenes — such a clever detail. The drastic scene changes were a bit awkward at times, but I think it was worth it for the set to look as good as it did. The costume design by Eva Ungar was equally impressive. Snow White’s dress, the Dame’s rubber gloves cape, the dwarfs’ sparkly vests all added character and whimsy to the show. And the Evil Queen’s dress was simply stunning. It was clear that the costumes were very well thought through, helping create the panto atmosphere. The only thing I would critique is Prince Charming’s costume, which seemed a bit plain compared to the rest of the vibrant characters. The lights and music were spot on, enhancing the overall experience. The opening had a particularly whimsical feel, though the moment Snow White woke up could have used a touch more flair. Still, the balance between all the elements was well-executed.

Snow White is an entertaining, light-hearted show with plenty of humour, dancing, and singing. So grab your funkiest Christmas sweaters and come see the show!

4/5

CUADC/Footlights Pantomime 2024: Snow White is showing at the ADC Theatre on Wed 27 November – Sat 7 December. Book your tickets here.

Featured image credits: Chris Wordsworth