Reviewed at Lyceum, Sheffield, by Michelle Rawlins
It’s Panto season again. Oh yes it is! And this year’s festively frolicking offering of Snow White at Sheffield’s Lyceum is as brilliantly bonkers as its well-earned reputation lives up to.
The theatre has a long history of entertaining their loyal audience with their comedy capers and slapstick silliness. And judging by the raucous applause from the audience, this year’s seasonal spectacular lived up to expectations.
The city’s favourite and much-loved Dame, aka Nurse Nellie (Damian Williams), was back for his 17th stint, bursting onto stage, after a video cam spotted him in a nearby pub sipping illuminous coloured cocktails. Following a sprint across town, she dashed into the theatre with a Henry Hoover as a headdress and a skirt made up of dusters.
The tone is set, and the highly amusing antics begin. As usual some poor bloke becomes the unintentional object of attention, after an audience-cam and Magnet of Love scans the theatre for a man who will be light-heartedly humiliated by Nurse Nellie.
The riotous, mad-cap plot, if you could call it that, is very loosely based on the Disney classic, with poor Snow White (Aoife Kenny) banished to the enchanted forest after her jealous step-mother orders her to be murdered. But the princess’s loyal friends can’t bring themselves to carry out the deadly deed.
Instead, she is taken in by the kindly seven dwarfs, who have all been renamed for the performance. There’s Cheeky, Striker, Sniffly, Groover, Kevin, Loopy, and leader of the pack, Sarge.
There’s plenty of big stars this year, including Catherine Tyldesley, best known as Eva Price in Coronation Street, as the Wicked Witch, who does everything she can to prove to Prince Charming she is the fairest in the land. Alongside Tyldesley is TV legend, Alan Carr, playing the all-too-honest prophet in the mirror, (appearing in support as patron of Neuroblastoma UK), and who isn’t shy at declaring the Wicked Witch has some fierce competition when it come to looks.
The dashingly dapper Prince Charming is played by Sheffield’s own Matthew Crooke, who has recently enjoyed a two-year stint in Aladdin on the West End.
As you would expect from veteran director, and former TV presenter, Paul Hendry, this slick festive frolic of a show is brimming with clap along songs and endless quips, including a plethora of Sheffield puns, and well-timed, light-hearted jabs at both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United. The neighbouring towns Rotherham and Barnsley also become the brunt of a handful of witty one-liners.
The traditional line-up on the bench for ‘It’s Behind You’, as well as the sing along and much-loved grand finale dance-along are all there too. And ‘the most entertaining man in showbusiness’, musical director, James Harrison, not only leads the energetic band placed in the seated boxes around the stage, he also takes a bit part on stage. His hearty enthusiasm really adds to the sheer joy of the show.
It’s hard to pick out a single highlight, as there are so many, but Williams dressed up as bottle of Henderson’s Relish (this year’s sponsors of the show and a Yorkshire favourite), his face stuck in the neck of the bottle, and a skirt created to look like a pie, was enough to cause tears of laughter to roll down the cheeks of theatre goers around me.
Another stand-out scene comes when Herman (Marc Pickering), the Wicked Queen’s henchman, who dreams of being an entertainer, is finally granted his wish. He leads an Elton John medley, in a silver jumpsuit, where the audience are encouraged to join in with everything from the ‘La-La-La-La’ chorus of Crocodile Rock to I’m Still Standing.
Herman’s identical twin brother, who looks nothing like him is Quang Luong – the one and only Viper from Gladiators. His comedy genius is that he manages to keep a perfectly straight face, after becoming the butt of many a joke.
Pantos have become an expected and much-anticipated part of the seasonal theatre line up, appealing to all ages, from pre-schoolers to grandparents. And judging by the endless laughter and frequent generous applause bestowed upon the well-versed cast, this fast-paced Yorkshire Christmas cracker certainly didn’t disappoint.
Snow White is showing until January 5, 2025. For tickets, click here