The cast of Broadway Productions’ panto, Snow White. Picture by Robin Crossley.
STAGE REVIEWA FULL house at Totland Church Hall was treated to a hilarious two hours of traditional panto fun with Broadway Productions’ hugely enjoyable Snow White.
A sparkling script by first-time director, Michael Grist, plus a lively and enthusiastic cast ensured even the most hardened anti-panto goers (and I include myself among them) could not fail to be won over by the sheer gusto of the performances of all concerned.
A mainly young cast threw themselves into retelling the old tale of the jealous wicked queen, superbly played by Brenda Craddock, and her attempt to bump off the beautiful Snow White.
A key to panto being successful is the audience getting behind the performers and joining in with the booing, hissing and general mayhem and the sell-out crowd duly obliged.
They were helped along with a stand-out performance from Geoff Kirk, as the dame Nursey, who hammed it up for all it was worth for the entire show.
The tremendous script contained the inevitable digs at the IW Council and neighbouring villages.
When Prince Orlando, slyly played by Andrew Clover, first meets Megan Davies’ beautiful Snow White, he is reduced to babbling incoherently. She asks him sweetly: "Are you from Colwell Bay?"
A special mention must also go to Mark Clover as the huntsman, who is charged with despatching Snow White in the wood. He transformed a minor role into a side-splitter with his deadpan delivery.
It would be unfair to single out anyone as the entire cast gave the show their all. It has been playing to packed houses every night and on the strength of this show, I am not surprised.
Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk