Snow White, The Big Pembs Panto 2024 at Boulevard Theatre, Milford Haven Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Kathy Sanderson
Last night we watched Snow White at the Boulevard Theatre, Milford Haven and while it didn’t have the big-budget glamour of a West End show, it absolutely delivered in charm, laughter, and fantastic audience interaction.
The star of the night, to everyone’s surprise, was Rhys Williams as Percy the Henchman. Henchmen aren’t usually meant to steal the show, but Percy’s charm, humour, and sweet nature made him an instant favourite. This was hilariously obvious when the audience was asked to choose who should get a custard pie in the face—Percy or the Prince. Much to the cast’s shock, the audience overwhelmingly chose the Prince! Williams’ comedic timing, energy, and ability to connect with the crowd were outstanding, and he had the whole theatre in fits of laughter.
Kelly Jackson, as the Wicked Queen, was another standout. She was every bit the classic panto villain, with her commanding stage presence, dramatic gestures, and razor-sharp delivery. Her brilliant voice and interaction with the audience had everyone booing and hissing in true pantomime style.
Drew Baker’s Nurse Nellie brought the house down with laughter. From her outrageous costumes (the emoji dress was a favourite) to her larger-than-life personality, she was a comedy whirlwind. Baker not only stole the show as Nurse Nellie but also directed the performance, which deserves huge credit for keeping the production tight, engaging, and brimming with energy. The “12 Days of Christmas” routine, complete with Percy kissing women in the audience and water-squirting chaos, was easily one of the funniest moments of the night.
Reuben Collins (Love Island) played the charming Prince, though the audience’s decision to pie him instead of Percy showed where their loyalties lay! Michelle Heaton (Liberty X) brought a touch of sparkle as the Woodland Fairy, and Russell Grant’s appearance as the Magic Mirror (albeit via recording) added a lovely nostalgic twist.
The children in our group all loved Muddles, the classic serving boy hopelessly in love with Snow White. His silliness and warmth made him a huge hit with the younger audience members.
As for Snow White herself, Amy Marsh brought a beautiful innocence to the role, complemented by a lovely singing voice. However, we felt her character didn’t have as much involvement in the story as expected, which meant she didn’t get the opportunity to truly shine. That said, her moments on stage were sweet and heartfelt, adding a much-needed softness to the show.
What really made this production special was the audience participation. From the hilarious “What I Would Be If I Didn’t Work for the Evil Queen” song to the lively final singalong, the theatre buzzed with energy. It was wonderful to see the cast breaking the fourth wall and engaging with everyone so enthusiastically.
Although the production was clearly on a modest budget, with simpler sets and a few sound wobbles, it didn’t detract from the experience. The cast’s talent, humour, and ability to entertain more than made up for it.
Overall, Snow White at the Boulevard Theatre was a joy to watch. Rhys Williams as Percy, Kelly Jackson as the Wicked Queen, and Drew Baker as Nurse Nellie led a strong cast in delivering a fun, feel-good performance full of laughs and heart. With Drew Baker’s excellent direction adding polish to the show, it’s a production not to be missed.
Rating: 5/5.
Snow White is on at the Boulevard Theatre until 31st December 2024. Tickets start at £18 (with an 87p booking fee). For more information or to book online at www.ticketsource.co.uk or call the box office on 01437 723493.
Boulevard Theatre, Dockside Building, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, SA73 3HA