Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Published Friday 21 December 2007 at 16:20 by Jon Holliday

Wicked? Oh yes she is. Lesley Joseph excels herself as the jealous Queen - funny, scary and dare one admit it, sexy.

She may want Snow White exterminated, but her overtures to the Welsh Prince Harry leave no doubt as to the more pressing needs underlying her evil intentions. And no matter how vociferous her audience boos and heckles, she soars above the storm triumphant. Oh yes she most definitely does.

Pleasingly, this version of the fairytale has a more solid storyline than most. Heartening too to see a cast so strong in depth. Not a weak link anywhere in Michael Vivian’s well-paced production laced with local and topical references. Kai Owen is as tall, dark and handsome as any charming Prince should be, with Gemma James a cute but not cloying Snow White. Combining well in song, they make a convincing romantic twosome.

There is comedy to please all, something old, something new, something borrowed, but nothing blue. Andy Jones as Muddles leads the way with his amiable laid-back manner that is most beguiling. Adam Stafford provides a jolly Nurse Gertie who is into everything, while Tony Wright as the court official Chambers feeds just about everybody while managing to secure laughs of his own.

Small they may be, but the Seven Dwarfs must not be overlooked. What a bright and appealing bunch they are - not children dressed up, not puppets, not cardboard cut-outs, but thankfully the real talented deal and such a feature of this delightful festive show.