This year is the first year that we have not done Pantomime’s together with Isaac and Eliza heading off to see Peter Pan at the Lighthouse with school and Sebastian and I off to the Pavilion for Snow White with his pre-school.
We have always loved pantomimes at Bournemouth Pavilion but I have to admit that we were put off last year as our local pantomime star Chris Jarvis wasn’t doing it, but, although he is much missed, Snow White was probably one of the best we have ever seen with fun and laughter all the way.
We settled down to watch with several other schools and Muddles (Noel Brodie) got the mentions out the way earlier to lots of cheers and screams from the excited crowd before the show got underway.
I have to admit that I only knew one of the cast and it made a refreshing change as I didn’t judge anyone on their previous characters. Olivia Birchenough, best known for presenting Channel 5’s children’s show Milkshake!, is cast as Snow White and surprised me with a fabulous singing voice which lent itself well to both classic Snow White songs as well as some modern up-tempo tracks.
Matt Lapinskas who played Anthony Moon in the Eastenders, was the dashing prince and the highlight of his part for me was the hilarious rendition of the 12 days of Christmas with jester Muddles and Quinn Patrick as the buxom ” large and in charge” Nurse Dolly – I was falling off my chair laughing at the antics on stage.
The real star of the show though was Gillian Wright, best known as Eastenders Jean Slater, who was brilliant as the fabulously mean, frustrated and vain Wicked Queen, who desperately tries but fails to charm the handsome prince with plenty of cheeky innuendo.
And then, of course, there were the seven dwarfs who make the fairytale complete.
This show is Pantomime perfect with plenty of audience participation, hilarious slap-stick comedy, detailed sets, and songs that make you want to get up and join in yourself. You could see the cast were having oodles of fun on stage which really got the audience going and I loved that some of them ducked under the curtain to continue waving to the excited audience at the end.
BRILLIANT!!
Pantomime is a fantastic Christmas tradition – we went to watch our local Panto last weekend. There is a brilliant dame – who has us all in stitches. good stuff to get you in the festive mood!
Panto is such a great British tradition, I’ve managed to take my older kid to one a while ago but my little boy has never been. It doesn’t happen in France!
I can’t wait till eva is at an age where she will like the panto. This looks like a good one. X
I think when the cast enjoy what it is they are doing then it makes it all the more fun x
I love panto season. The cast always seem to be having fun and I love it when things don’t go to plan and they have to adlib. Great fun.
I really want to take Boo to a panto, this one looks great, but I am not sure she would sit still for 5 minutes, I am wondering if next year might be better as she is only just two.
I am not a fan on Panto’s, there is just something about them! But the kids love them. This year one came to their school and it was a BIG hit
This sounds fab – we went to see Alice in Wonderland in my local village – most of my family are involved! The children loved it. Kaz x
Oh I would love to go to this, I’ve never seen a Snow White panto! Looks fab x
This sounds like a lot of fun! I’ve never been to a panto, but I bet it owuld be great 🙂
Sounds like it had all the ingredients to make a brilliant panto!
Thank looks great! We watched our local panto with school yesterday! So much fun!!!
This sounds great fun. We’ve gone theatre, but no pantos. Maybe this year.