Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Alhambra, Bradford Review
Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
13 December 2014 to 25 January 2015
Reviewed by Rachel Legg
I had the great pleasure of attending the pantomime at Alhambra Theatre in Bradford last night, I went with high hopes as the show always has a good reputation and it certainly did not disappoint. It was everything you would expect from a panto and more, the set was spectacular, the special effects fantastic, I was not expecting a huge pterodactyl flying literally over my head! The music was brilliantly performed by the orchestra and the cast were superb.
The story was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and follows the traditional story, Snow White falls in love with her handsome Prince, her wicked stepmother realising that she’s no longer the fairest in the land tries to get rid of her, Snow White takes refuge with the seven dwarfs, eats a poisoned apple and is rescued by the prince and they all live happily ever after. However there was also all the usual set pieces after all what would a pantomime be without the chance to boo, hiss and shriek “he’s behind you” at full volume? The audience had an absolute whale of a time and there genuinely didn’t seem to be a lull in the enjoyment levels at any point in the performance. I came away, hoarse and with my face hurting from shouting and laughing so much. There was equal enjoyment from both the kids and adults and as usual the humour was pitched at both sections, the double entendres and slightly risqué humour going over the kids heads.
Billy Pearce is the headlining act as Muddles the court jester and is brilliant, he is a panto stalwart in these parts and can certainly sing, dance and act and he genuinely gives 110% all night. Billy was joined in the headline by Joe McElderry who plays the Spirit of the Mirror and many people will recognise him as the 2009 X-Factor winner. Joe is also excellent and showcases his vocal talents in a couple of upbeat solo numbers as well as joining in with the general shenanigans alongside Billy Pearce and Adam Stafford who plays Dame Betty Blumenthal. Charlotte Haines plays Snow White and really captures the naive girl that falls in love with her handsome Prince Benedict of Bradford. The villain of the piece is Queen Sadista and she is delightfully evil, a true villain and superbly played by Jenny Gaynor. In fact the whole cast were fabulous and seemed to be having as much fun as the audience.
I would heartily recommend this, it is a traditional pantomime with all the pieces that you would expect including masses of audience participation but the production values are brilliant, the cast second to none and it is a nonstop, hysterical romp.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £12.50 to £36 (plus £1 / £1.50 booking fee).
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford until 25 January 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01274 432000.
The Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ | Box Office 01274 432000
