Review: Haverhill Arts Centre plays host to another great trip to pantoland by The Centre Stage Company

There was much that was new about this version of Snow White - not least that the classic fairytale was set in pantoland. Oh yes it was!

But with a superb selection of songs - more than I can ever recall in any panto - and some fantastic performances it was something of a triumph when we saw it at Haverhill Arts Centre on Sunday.

Set in the village of Haagandaas and following the traditional storylines, the panto was the second to be directed by James Player and first to be choreographed by Amelia Szluha, who did a fine job on debut.

We soon met the dame, Widow Bunny, who for the first time in the Centre Stage Company’s history was not played by a man, as Sam Barker took the reins.

Sam’s dame was a hoot throughout, with the traditional risqué tone set as she scrubbed away at some dirty undies while singing - to the tune of Carwash - ‘at the launderette, scrubbing at the launderette yea’.

Having also been introduced in the opening scene to Fairy Flo (portrayed with confidence by Centre Stage Company newcomer Zoë Hunt) we soon met the Evil Queen, played in dastardly style by Jacqui Player, who was to employ the dopey Hunter (Isaac Ives) to murder Snow White (a first leading role for Tilly Harriss).

As the story unfolded we were treated to the usual panto mix of innuendo, slapstick visual humour and the - it would not be a pantomime without them - ‘he’s behind you’ and ‘oh no there isn’t’ moments.

Audience participation was ensured from the opening minutes and the occasional local reference was thrown in, such as the ‘this is Haverhill panto, not the Royal Shakespeare Company’ quip.

Ollie Reid as Magic Mirror Mike, of the ‘mirror mirror on the wall’ fame, Emily Bonfield as Snow White’s love interest Prince Florian, and in fact, every other member of the cast deserves praise for playing their part in what was a fantastic panto.

Snow White continues at 7pm on Friday before concluding its run with shows at 3pm and 7pm on Saturday.

For information on tickets call 01440 714140 or visit https://haverhillartsentre.co.uk/