The Stage

Snow White

Published Monday 4 January 2010 at 10:35 by Jane McKell

Snow White at Bournemouth Pavilion is a treat - a real band, talented performers, gorgeous costumes and scenery, traditional music and fantastic rapport.

UK Productions, with director/performer Chris Jarvis at the helm and Su Pollard as the Wicked Queen, serves-up a fun-filled festive feast.

Pollard is dame and villain combined - as part of her wicked sense of humour, she kicks-up red suede heels, swirls multicoloured sequins and has glasses to compete with Dame Edna, whilst poking fun at us all.

Jarvis is adorable as Muddles the Jester - his clever impressions, reference to CBeebies and comic timing links every scene at a pace. Michael Chance’s Ramsbottom is a perfect straight man, from Spotty-Bottom to Smelly-Bottom, the butt of the Queen’s jokes. Both Rebecca Marks in the title role and Jonathan Parkin as Prince are excellent - Marks’ Snow White, with every Disney gesture and melodic note, give us exactly what we want - songs such as I’m Wishing and Someday My Prince Will Come command relative quiet, and there are whistles of delight when, against tradition, the Prince and Snow White kiss.

Prince of the Stuck-Up Lands is a bit of a twit and hero rolled into one and we love him, along with Snow White. The real seven dwarves are great fun, with quick-fire dialogue, whilst the professional dancers create atmosphere as villagers with energy. From the ah factor opening sequence - the Stage Door School kids miming the story so far, along with Muddles narrating - to the glittering golden finale, this panto is magical.