Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs @ Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
Pantomime fixtures Allan Stewart and Grant Stott bring dazzling performances and side-splitting laughs to their rendition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Moving home isn’t easy. The packing, the unpacking, the settling-in, making sure everyone knows your new address. But the stalwart Edinburgh panto duo of Allan Stewart and Grant Stott have made the Festival Theatre feel like home with ease while the King’s Theatre undergoes its refurb. Given the full house of cheery punters lapping up every can-can and jazz hand, the new address cards seem to have safely made it out into the world despite all the postal strikes.
It’s been a year, again, and this all-singing, all-dancing, all-laughing production written by Stewart and Harry Michaels, and directed by Ed Curtis, is the sprinkling-of-snow-on-Christmas-morning kind of tonic we all need.
This panto has it all, including a magical, sparkly set designed by Ian Westbrook – from a flying, reindeer-led sleigh, to the magnificent seven’s charming cosy cottage, to a giant, roaring dragon. Plus, it’s packed with punchlines to keep the wee ones and the big ones entertained. There’s also plenty of local gags, from moans about the trams to poking fun at Nicola Sturgeon and chants of "‘Mon the hibees!" to keep the production's capital city roots front of house.
The talented ensemble dazzle throughout, with slick dance routines and choreography by Karen Martin. Meanwhile, the orchestra (led by musical director Andy Pickering) create a booming backdrop, packed with festive classics and modern pop songs, and lending the odd comical stage effect. The title of the production is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but the shining stars of the show are without doubt Stott as Lord Lucifer and the incredible Stewart as Nurse May. Yet it’s Jordan Young as Muddles who steals the show throughout – funny, charismatic, and cheeky, he’s the shiny star at the top of the tree in this fantastically fun, family friendly, and festive production.
Happy new temporary home, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! Thanks for having us round.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, until 22 Jan, from £26.50