Snow White in a spin

Residents gathered at Shawford Parish Hall to enjoy the latest of Simon Theobalds' biennial pantomime offerings.

Simon's version of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' was very much a 'pantomime for today'. Disney's demure and saccharinic Snow White was replaced by a stroppy, adolescent wannabe, with pop star aspirations, spendidly played by Julia Beckett.

The dwarfs, represented the now defunct European currencies. Sheila Forbes merits a special accolade for standing in at short notice and more than holding her own as Drachma, a Greek with attitude, who had lost his marbles.

Eileen Gorrod as the Wicked Queen, outdid Anne Robinson in studied nastiness, delivering her lines with marvellous clarity, and her songs with style and confidence. Simon Jones was her Enchanted Mirror with press connections and Ken Staunton her Spin Doctor. In their opening number they looked like Shawford's answer to the Blues Brothers.

It would not be a pantomime without its gender bending, but it is to be hoped that Ian Streat and Nick Wells are not becoming too confused. Nick did an excellent job as the ingenuous, handsome woodcutter, one log short of a set of tables, and Ian, gave his usual sterling performance as the Dame.

Each performance was graced by the presence of the Duchess of Malms (Jane Hazlitt) and Lady Brackenlea (Muriel Forbes) who were a sort of Greek Chorus. Elegant and haughty, they gave much amusement by their acerbic comments. The powerhouse of the performance was Musical Director, Philip Gorrod who wrote all the songs and arranged the music.

All of this was blended and shaped into a slick and lively production by director, Sarah Hawkins, who with the help of the backstage team ensured that the limited stage facilities were exploited to the full.

This was a marvellous community occasion.

Bob Emmerson