‘Snow White’: A pantomime for all audiences

Producer Bonnie Lythgoe has been bringing pantomimes to Australia for 10 years, delighting audiences with her fresh retelling, or more aptly ‘delightfully fractured re-telling’, of family favourites.

Snow White was the first panto she staged in Sydney in 2014, followed by Aladdin and His Wondrous Lamp (2015), Cinderella (2016), The Adventures of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell (2017), Sleeping Beauty (2018) and Jack and The Beanstalk (2019) which was partially presented in 3D.

There was a period of several years where Ozpanto was rested owing to the ongoing worldwide shutdowns brought about by Covid, but panto has finally returned in a big way, with Bonnie Lythgoe’s favourite Snow White.

The enormously talented ensemble cast is fronted by Debora Krizak as the Wicked Queen, Eliza Sunderland as the very genuine and beautiful Snow White and Tim Maddren as Prince Sebastian. Projected images of Sir Cliff Richard and Kyle Sandilands playing the roles of ‘Mirror Enchanted’ and ‘Mirror Disgruntled’ respectively, have also been recorded for the show.

American performer Barry Pearl who is best known to Australian audiences for his supporting role in the 70s iconic hit movie Grease alongside John Travolta and Olivia Newtown-John, plays the role of Chambers and comedian Mark Jones is hilarious in the role of Muddles.

Collectively the entire cast deliver outstanding and memorable performances.

As audiences sit in the darkened theatre marveled by this hilarious laugh out loud panto, it becomes quite apparent that each and every performer have poured their heart and soul in the project and are having just as much fun performing, as the audience are sitting back and watching.

No expense has been spared on this theatrical production which boasts colourful sets and costumes, beautifully choreographed dance and musical sequences.

It’s daunting the number of professionals who have contributed to the success of this production behind the scenes. Special credit must be given to the sound and lighting engineers whose skilful work compounds to the high quality of the production.

Lythgoe proudly continues the tradition of bringing affordable, family-friendly pantos to the stage and her primary focus is on excellence.

It’s always impossible to falter a show which brings such joy to audiences. On the opening night performance radiant smiles were noticeable throughout the theatre and the standing ovation was justified.

Snow White is perfect entertainment for big kids and little kids and the adults should have fun with all the adult and local references. It’s also a joyous night out at the theatre watching a twisted and comical take on a fairy tale which we have all cherished from early childhood.

Snow White
Until September 21 (Fridays & weekend performances only)
Riverside Theatres, Cnr Market & Church Street, Parramatta.
https: //riversideparramatta.com.au