Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
Cast: Kim Woodburn, Derek Acorah, Lewis Pryor, Claire Simmo, Michael Chapman, Mia Molloy, Alex Patmore, Daryl Holden.
The evil and wicked step-mother is stalking the land, seven forest-dwelling miners are set to become heroes and guardians of a princess in danger and the beautiful fairy will always have some power to make the day go with a band, a bite of an apple will hold the key to the throne and always a kiss will seal the fate of all, it is so decreed by the magic mirror and nobody should dare question the fair Snow White as she takes her place as the fairest in the land.
It is to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves that we look to for hope in these treacherous times, a comforting story of good triumphing over evil, of togetherness in adversity and one that never fails to reach into a corner of your soul, no matter what age you are, and give it the Christmas hug that reminds you of warm nights by the fireside, of snow falling gently onto a silent world and the relief of knowing that in the end the evil queen on the throne will meet her doom, come what may.
Lewis Pryor once again shines on stage in the Epstein Christmas Pantomime, a natural with an audience, an effervescent personality who always captures the mood, as Muddles, the magic loving son of Dame Debbie, played by the always reliable and wonderfully naughty Michael Chapman, he pulls out all the stops in his tireless passion to make an audience enjoy their evening. It is perhaps his grounding and being taken under the wing of Mr. Chapman at a young age in which has seen this actor flourish, take his place rightfully at the heart of Liverpool’s theatrical institutions, whatever the reason, to be in the company of such desire is to be always welcomed.
With Michael Chapman pulling the strings of the children in the audience, playing up terrifically and teasing the adults and parents with good humoured banter, Claire Simmo providing a sensational tingle in the heart as the Fairy and Daryl Holden easing into a fabulous version of the Wicked Queen’s Henchman, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Epstein Theatre is a joyous occasion, one for the family to enjoy and feel the warmth of Christmas start to spread over them.
Ian D. Hall