Theatre Review: Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at The Alhambra

AFTER a spinal health scare earlier in the year, Bradford's treasure, Billy Pearce, returns to the Alhambra with a slightly stripped back role in this year's Crossroads Pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Starring music industry legend Sinitta, the show's normal high production values are exceptional this year, impressing with seven self-professed "little people" arriving on a train to frame the story, explaining Snow White's (Sarah Pearson) past.

When the stage curtain rises, Ian Westbrook's picturesque set also wows from the get-go, reaching a notable high later in the show when the dwarves’ luscious stained glass windowed cottage is revealed. Teresa Nalton's sparkly costumes and headdresses nicely complement in catchy opening number "Living the Bradford Life". This sets the tone too for the many well-received local tributes liberally smattered throughout the production from Prince William of Wakefield (Callum Connolly) to Billy quipping “"you don't frighten me; I've worked in Barnsley" and digs at Ilkley’s affluence.

Writers Harry Michaels and Alan McHugh have truly perfected this year’s balance of new and old, combining well-loved skits like the farcical 12 Days of Christmas, child participation on I am the Music Man, the usual sexual innuendo and a fast-faced “Pheasant Plucker” tongue-twister with plenty of contemporary nods: Connolly sings a rendition of Rosé & Bruno Mars’ APT for Snow White's party, the current 6-7 craze gets a nod and The Traitors make a cameo.

Director Ed Curtis manages to outdo previous productions with the help of the special effects team: Pearce juts out into the audience navigating a mini helicopter and in another awesome special effect Queen Lucretia (Myra Dubois) makes an entrance upon a dragon. There’s also a particularly festive Christmas song medley with twin Frosty the Snowmen dancing and The Sunbeams (child stars) accompanying in colourful Victorian winter fur dress.

As the Spirit of Pantomime, Sinitta of course sings So Macho and her past X-Factor involvement is referenced. Pearce makes an eye-catching entrance in a dazzling silver glitter ball suit singing Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror. Wearing his “scatter cushion” costume, Connolly has the strongest vocals while Dubois holds this year’s show, pairing nicely with Pearce. Clearly an absolute blast for the ensemble who regularly break the fourth wall and chuckle amongst themselves, this year’s show is an absolute triumph.

Snow White shows at The Alhambra until January 18: https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/snow-white