The Stage

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Published Thursday 17 December 2009 at 11:35 by Andrew Liddle

Sheffield’s lovely old theatre, the Lyceum, has been staging pantos since the 1890s, but there can have been few better than this lavish version of the ever-popular Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

l-r: Brian Wheeler (Mardy) Laura Whitfield (Loopy) Darren Horan (Sniffly) Nick Read (Sarge) Kate Quinell (Snow White) Lukus Alexander (Groovy) Dean O'Whatton (Cheeky) Luke Pendlebury (Smiler) in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

Toyah Willcox, who can boast 13 Top 40 singles, reveals herself to be a natural for this genre, hamming it up delightfully as the nasty narcissist, Queen Ivannah, as well as still being in great voice. She spends most of her time consulting the oracle, the Lord of the Mirror, played in virtual reality to great comic effect by local stand-up comedian Bobby Knutt.

Damian Williams, who has done most things in panto, contorts his features into an impression of Tommy Cooper, dragging it up as the game dame, Nurse Nellie, cleverly gauche in every way, especially in those well-rehearsed calamities. Toby Foster gives great support as the well-named Muddles, trying to quip his way into the affections of our heroine.

Snow White, played by the delightful Kate Quinnell, is already spoken for, however, having quickly fallen under the spell of Andrew Alexander’s robust Prince Charming. It’s a good job that the seven dwarves are on hand to keep her safe and charm the audience.

This is panto at its spectacular, hilarious, tuneful and wholesome best.