Hilarity and chaos throughout ensures a fun time is had by all at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking’s latest pantomime.
This re-telling of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs written by Alan McHugh is filled with festive cheerfulness, with plenty of moments that feel very unscripted that unleash heartwarming moments of laughter.
Snow White is having a birthday party and Prince William of Westfield is expected to attend, where the pair hit it off- but Queen Dragonella has other plans for the Prince and will stop at nothing to try and separate the pair with plenty of hilarious moments in between.
Throughout it all there is plenty of special effects and magic to keep the audience both young and old thoroughly engaged (just wait until you see Rob Rinder on a motorbike) – not just visually but the way in which the script is utilised to the point you aren’t sure what is scripted and what is improvised – it feels really sparkling script wise.
In particular, the rhyming scene is one of the highlights of the show as it gets more and more ludicrous – with Rob Rinder, Lesley Joseph and Aaron James working brilliantly together as also evidenced by the absolutely hilarious take on the ’12 days of Christmas’ sequence that really doesn’t go according to plan.
Visually, there is plenty to enjoy as well thanks to Teresa Nalton’s bold and joyous costume design and Joanna Goodwin’s choreography really allows the ensemble to shine as well. Elsewhere, at times the sound balance during the songs was a little off – the music overpowered the lyrics in places.
The performances? Everyone involved is extremely gleeful from start to finish. Leading the way is Aaron James as Muddles who really uses every opportunity to engage with audience to the full and ensuring that no one on or off stage escapes from his mischievous antics.
Lesley Joseph is clearly in her element as Queen Dragonella – she really relishes every line and even every aspect that doesn’t quite go according to plan. She really leans into the character beautifully. Rob Rinder as The Man in the Mirror dances around the stage with great joy and delivers each line with great sharpness and wit that makes his character impossible to resist.
Elsewhere, the cast of The Magnificent seven who bring the dwarfs to life does so with great vibrancy (and even have the best song in the show that I felt myself humming afterwards) – it would have been lovely to have seen them being brought into the story even more. Briana Craig as Princess Snow White and Scott Maurice as Prince WIlliam of Westfield have a charming chemistry together.
Overall, this production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a fun and lively affair with plenty of laughs for everyone to enjoy from start to finish. You will leave with a huge smile on your face.
By Emma Clarendon
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs continues to play until the 4th January 2026.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️