It’s officially panto season as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs stomps onto stage at the New Theatre in Cardiff.
It’s true what they say, Christmas hasn’t truly started until you’ve visited a Christmas panto, and having grown up going to these at Christmas, it’s just something that’s ingrained in me. Cue the ‘Oh Yes It Is’, and Oh No It Isn’t’s and you won’t be too far off…
This year, we have a homegrown Valleys star stepping onto the stage in Cardiff. Ian ‘H’ Watkins from international pop group Steps will lead the cast in this year’s magical family pantomime. He brings with him charismatic charm and a fun-filled personality, which the audience simply enjoys. Being a local lad, the entire crowd is simply rooting for H as the Man in the Mirror!
H is joined by New Theatre pantomime favourites, rugby legend Gareth Thomas and panto Dame extraordinaire Mike Doyle, who return after a triumphant season last Christmas appearing in Aladdin.
Known by his fans as Alfie, Mr Thomas takes up the role of the Queen’s evil henchman. Is he really that bad or has he taken up the role on the dark out of necessity? Is there a heart of gold still there? Alfie is quickly becoming a seasoned panto performer, so he knows what works and what is needed to win the Welsh crowd. The Trunk of Truth will certainly have you giggling as you try to look away – but don’t.
Completing the local round-up is Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Siân Reeves. The half Llanell’ian (if that’s a thing?) has big boots to fill as the fairy-tale’s villan, Queen Lucretia. From the moment Siân steps out on stage, she captivates the audience and quickly becomes the character that you love to hate, with her very lustrous charm. Her character will no doubt bring a smile to even the most disconcerting theatregoer.
As you might expect from a panto, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments. Dame Mike Doyle starring as Nurse Nancy ticks all the boxes of a Christmas panto. Mike provides non-stop laughter whilst bringing the audience up to speed in his unofficial narrator role. This is especially important to keep everything on track and in order… and his character does a subtle, but great job of doing so.
I am ashamed to say, until last night, I’ve never actually seen comedy ventriloquist, BGT semi-finalist Steve Hewlett before. But oh boy did he deliver a lesson on both in his role as Muddles in Snow White. Steve from start to finish genuinely connected with the audience and had everyone eating out of the palm of his hand – I’m sure there is probably a ventriloquist joke there somewhere! He schooled the audience on ventriloquism 101… quite literally and his audience participation skit raised the roof with laughter. I won’t say what it is, but oh my, you are in for a treat.
It is easy to get side tracked with so many memorable moments, but we can’t forget the fairy-tale couple of the show. Denquar Chupak as Snow White and Nay-Nay Gapomo as Prince Carwyn of Conwy, make a lovely duo with sensational on-stage chemistry. Nay-Nay, a rising star on the circuit, is definitely one to watch out for. They both have incredible vocals, but if there was criticism, it isn’t of them, but one for the sound. There was a moment in particular, Nay-Nay’s rendition of Blinding Lights, where the backing music really drowned him out, which was a shame.
These classic fairy-tale stories are often the backdrop for many pantos up and down the country. They will often rotate and eventually the same story will return so many years later. However, having reviewed Snow White at the Swansea Grand last year, I wasn’t feeling all that optimistic. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good panto, but they will often use and repeat the same panto format for every production – simply changing the underlying story, but with the same mayhem and chaos that often ensues. My daughter will now often predict what happens next and wonders if they will do the same antics as last year. There is some truth in that, but the likes of Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer having produced more than 750 pantomimes since the early 80s – has created the perfect winning formula that delivers guaranteed laugh-a-minute entertainment. So why change?
Where am I going with this? The production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has evolved from last year. I hate spoilers, but there is a moment when H appears to be flying out into the crowd – something which was unexpected and usually reserved for larger productions, so bravo! The use of falling snow added a bit of magic to the air and reaffirmed that audience connection, something which pantos are known to do. It’s amazing how something so simply brings an extra smile to the faces of children and adults alike.
The story line has also been updated to reflect the current times with a modern twist. Quite often, there will be references made to the current economic or political climate, but to update a story line? That’s groundbreaking!
This year’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has all the makings of a very successful Christmas panto for all the family, along with a few surprises. So book your tickets and be prepared to laugh the night away.
Tickets are available now on the New Theatre Cardiff website. Price start from £23.50 with family offers and concessions. Click here to find out more and book tickets.
