The special thing that pantomime has over almost all other theatrical performances is that it is the one production that promises “something for everyone” and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, delivers heartily on that promise.
From the opening “village scene” right the way through to the inevitable wedding, this production has several superb sets, many marvelous melodies and cleverly constructed characters – all wrapped up in the most traditional of family pantomimes.
With dancers from the Associates, the McAllister-Brown Dance School and the Dance Consortium for company, the six villagers, Alistair George Holland, Harry Lydon, Kendra Colangelo, Gabbie Deakin, Alannah Wells and Laura Nye all dance very enthusiastically throughout the show and play other minor roles well.
As Snow White and The Prince, Millie Booth and Chris Warner Drake are almost too cute for words. The children quickly warm to the innocence and charm of Snow White, with the tall and handsome Prince getting more than the occasional wolf-whistle from his more grown-up fan club.
Jamie Rickers has been playing pantomimes for over 10 years, and his performance as Muddles is testament to that. He makes getting a laugh look effortless and has a great rapport with the kids, although his “catchphase” for this year, M-U-D-D-L-E-S, I say Muddles you say yes, Muddles (yes), is a trifle too long for the younger children to remember. As a result, some of his entrance scenes are a bit flat.
With a selection of the most amazing costumes (a new one for every entrance), Jamie Steen is one of the best panto dames on the circuit. His jokes are topical and not too corny and his interaction with both adults and children is brilliant. Together with Rickers, their “12 Days of Christmas” routine is one of the, many, highlights of the show.
Stijn Keuleers, Trevor Jones, Aaron Haworth, Ali Mawji, Emma Jones, Darren Horan and Kieran Dumont are the seven dwarfs and, with great singing voices and good comic timing, they really do help to make to show extra special and they are clearly having a really great time in their roles.
With some rather unexpected thundering rock music to accompany her first entrance, Su Pollard is the epitome of a naughty and flirty Wicked Queen. Mean enough to get the huge Tunbridge Wells audience booing loudly, but funny enough to get those same people laughing their socks off, Su is the consummate professional.
The performance runs at a good pace, but enough time is left for Su to reappear in a number of different costumes topped off with some outrageously coloured wigs, and for her to try to seduce the Prince – poor man!
Unusually, special mention in this production doesn’t go to a person, but to one particular scene. As the Dwarf’s Cottage appears and gently glides downstage, the front wall opens to reveal the two-tiered inside of the cottage with seven small beds and other assorted furniture. For the first time I have witnessed in many years, the scenery gets a well deserved round of applause, with congratulations going to Martin Dodd and the designers at UK Productions for creating such a truly magical scene.
To give the audience a truly authentic Disney-style Snow White experience copyright has been obtained to use Whistle While You Work, I’m Wishing, Heigh-Ho and Someday My Prince Will Come which is just another example of how The Assembly Hall Theatre, in association with UK Productions, is working hard to provide the best pantomime in the area.
**** Four Stars