It just isn’t Christmas without a few specific elements: lots of sparkle, festive outfits and a good sing-song. Luckily, the Wolverhampton Grand’s pantomime production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs features all of these festive key ingredients, perhaps making it the best thing about Christmas so far.

My previous experience of pantomimes have been a little disappointing, and largely aimed at the under sixes. Thankfully this is not the case for Wolverhampton’s annual panto. Whilst sticking to the classic fairy tale, winning the hearts of traditionalists and Disney fans alike, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs features many contemporary elements to appeal to the trendier members of the audience: even the winners of X-Factor got a mention. The star-studded cast are perfect professionals who are clearly enjoy every moment on stage. Sam Kane (of Brookside and Emmerdale fame) plays the charismatic Prince William of Wednesbury alongside his wife Linda Lusardi (similarly of soap stardom) as Lucretia the Evil Queen. Snow White, played by the perfect Eloise Irving (best known for her singing credentials in many televised competitions) is so very loveable, sweet and everything the Princess should be.

Whilst I adored the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s panto production, one publication in particular argued with its choice to use child actors over dwarfs for the roles of the Seven Dwarfs. It’s no secret that we have all felt the pinch of the economic crisis; everyone has had to cut back on budgets and that includes productions such as these. In all honesty, I’m amazed; even though the arts have had to make tough decisions, at the quality of the production. The special effects are amazing; easily matching the quality of panto in the capital. One scene which particularly impressed me, and my cynical other half, happens just before the interval where the Evil Queen flies on her broomstick. It’s pretty spectacular. Forfeiting the Seven Dwarves being played by children instead of dwarf actors, who are traditionally employed to play the roles, is an easy decision when the Grand are still able to produce excellent entertainment like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Wolverhampton’s production of Snow White has enough jokes to entertain not only the youngest, but also the older members of the audience. My other half was really not keen on catching a traditional panto and yet thoroughly enjoyed it, resulting in many belly laughs at some of the more slapstick comedy elements. There were more than adequate amounts of audience participation including the obligatory “it’s behind you!” and “oh no you didn’t!” together with sufficient possibilities to boo the Evil Queen. The costumes are wonderful, festively bright and suitably sparkly; Christmas is the time of year where the more sequins the better. Quite frankly, in all areas, Snow White certainly doesn’t disappoint.

By shropshirelive.com Entertainment Reviewer: Amy Moss

Follow Amy on Twitter @minitrue_

Photographer: Graeme Braidwood