Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
There will be various adaptations of the traditional story of Snow White throughout this year’s pantomime season, with the jealous Stepmother, hatching a plan to kill Snow White so that the young Prince Charming will marry her. The plan inevitably goes wrong, and Snow White ends up lost and alone in the forest, where she is discovered by seven Dwarfs who offer her shelter in their cottage. However, the evil Queen asks her Magic Mirror who is the ‘fairest in the land’ and she realises she must do the dastardly deed herself if she is to marry the Prince.
Will true love save Snow White or will the evil Queen triumph after all? Well, I think we all know the answer to that one…. but throw in a Henchman with a sparkling dream (no spoilers, but it’s a great ending!) and brilliantly timed comedy scenes and this is a production that really does have it all!
Written and Directed by Evolution Productions Paul Hendy, and co-produced with the Marlowe Theatre, the story combines the traditional values of pantomime, the trends of the last year and some beautiful set (design by Morgan Brind), costume (by Morgan Brind and Amy Chamberlain), lighting (by Mark Dymock) and sound (by Chris Whybrow).
Ebony Clarke’s Choreography is the last piece of the jigsaw, continuing the story throughout the movement, it strengthens the performance and gives an added purpose to the brilliant musical numbers.
The comedy moments are provided by Marlowe Theatre favourite Ben Roddy as Nurse Nellie, Marc Pickering as Herman Von Badapple and returning for another year, Phil Gallagher as Muddles. Their timing and on-stage camaraderie is contagious and hilariously funny from start to finish.
Sarah Hadland provides this year’s ‘boos and hisses’ as the Wicked Queen, with some Strictly moves, comic impressions and, at one point, flying across the audience on a broomstick, it is really hard to dislike her character when she is just so good at all of it!
Kane Oliver Parry as Prince Charming and Mia Kobayashi as Snow White play their roles with a natural ease and have some delightful moments together, their astounding vocals show why they are both successful West End performers and audiences are in for a treat.
This years seven are Maggie Sharp as Sarge (making her professional and Panto debut, one to watch for the future), Paddy Holden as Groover (providing sassy dance moves and brilliant comic timing), Liam Roche as Kevin (watch out for the perfectly delivered dry comedy), Simon Charnier as Striker, George Coppen as Cheeky (some great laugh out loud moments), Geoffrey Sergison as Sniffly and Hassan Taj as Loopy (he not only delivers some of the most adorable moments and has the audience on side throughout, but also delivers one of the funniest punchlines with ease).
The ensemble includes a prominent level of talent that compliments the rest of the cast whether they are giving us Villager, Ghoul or Woodland animal, their high energy levels and commitment does not go unnoticed.
The Panto season may have only just started, but it’s going to be hard to find another show that ticks all the boxes and offers audiences such a great theatre experience!
Get yourselves down to Canterbury, this is one not to be missed!
This show was reviewed on the 2nd December at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury where it runs until the 11th January 2026. Tickets available here : Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - The Marlowe
Review written by Rachel Louise Martin
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Photo credit: Pamela Raith
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