Ryde Academy pupils perform. Picture by Chris Thwaites.
STAGE REVIEWAS festive treats go, Ryde Academy did not disappoint in their production of the popular pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Tess Attrill, 15, was word perfect in the title role and her renditions of I’m Wishing and Cheryl Cole’s Fight For This Love showed exactly why she got the part.
Her love interest and leader of the 'Royal Rah-scals’, was the gallant Prince Valour, played by Alec Webb, 16. Henry George, 17, was outstanding as the prince’s sidekick, Muddles.
Alongside him was Keiren Thompson, 16, as the no-nonsense Dame Doughnut, and Dan Spragg, 15, as Igor the Henchman.
Hilarity ensued whenever Muddles, Prince Valour and Dame Doughnut were together and the scene in which they learned of Bambi’s tragic demise had some audience members almost crying with laughter.
Sian McCullough, 15, was suitably evil as the Wicked Queen. Her strong delivery and facial expressions had the audience against her from the moment she stepped on to stage.
Also deserving of a mention were Ruby Meecham, as Goldie Looking Locks, and Calum Lockhart, as Buck, the stuffed moose-head with no shortage of one-liners.
Charlotte Bell linked the scenes as Narrator, and the stage-side singers boosted cast vocals, while Lauren Kirkland sparkled as the Fairy of the Mirror and Moses Gale gave a confident performance as head dwarf, Bossy.
The dancers were professional in their silence as they waited in the wings for their numbers: the mash-up of Under Pressure and Ice, Ice, Baby was particularly good fun, just one of many quirky numbers in this enjoyable school pantomime.