Theatre

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Birmingham Hippodrome Review

21 December 2019 to 2 February 2020

Reviewed by Lindsay Burton

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all! Is it the beautiful Snow White or the Evil Dragonella? We made our way to Birmingham Hippodrome to find out! 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the magical and funny pantomime that brings together a host of stars for Britain’s biggest regional panto. The production is once again directed by Michael Harrison who has been at the helm of the Hippodrome pantomime for the last 10 years. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer. The spectacular production features stunning costumes and fairytale sets created by Ian Westbrook, along with outstanding special effects direct from the sold-out London Palladium production in 2018.

Starring Birds of a Feather’s Lesley Joseph as The Evil Dragonella, Hippodrome panto favourite Matt Slack as Muddles, X Factor winner Joe McElderry as The Spirit of The Mirror, Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes as Snow White, joined by Britain’s Got Talent finalists Flawless, Midlands YouTube phenomenon Doreen Tipton, the return of panto dame Andrew Ryan and break-out star of the recent London Palladium revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jac Yarrow as The Prince, there really is no end to the talent in this year’s panto spectacular! 

With this being our first show starring Matt Slack, I definitely need to give the man a nod for being such a comedian with an enormous stage presence, we did not stop laughing once! I wasn’t sure whether the stop starts were rehearsed or improvised but either way, my little boy and I were in stitches! Your talent and passion is so electric and contagious, it seemed like the entire cast were feeding off your energy. Oh, and well done for how you dealt with child number 3 on stage, poor lad clearly did NOT want to join in and you handle it fabulously! 

Nanny Annie Aspirin (Andrew Ryan) was my next favourite character and her outfits and huge, moving boobs were not only hilarious, but they put the cherry on the pantomime cake for the audience. 

Queen Dragonella (Lesley Joseph) was portrayed as evil and wicked but Muddles (Matt Slack) really worked her patience (and her wig) and, together with her royal guard (the very talented Flawless), created very enjoyable evil villains. 

Flawless first catapulted to success on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 and with their slick, fast-paced routines and jaw-dropping skills, they have helped revolutionise street dance! Their routine on stage was smooth and faultless and they truly wowed the audience with their moves! 

They are joined by Josh Bennett, George Coppen, Greg Doherty, Simeon Dyer, Craig Garner, Jamie John and Blake Lisle as The Magnificent Seven and they are truly that, magnificent. With stunning vocals from both Joe McElderry and Faye Brookes, and Doreen Tipton with her Lazy Cow Syndrome (yes, it’s a real thing!) together with all the other cast members that are so very talented and energetic, it really created such a magical atmosphere and with the flying reindeer and sleigh (and maybe a dragon), transported me to a world where absolutely anything was possible! 

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £17 (booking fees may apply).

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 21 December 2019 to 2 February 2020, for more information or to book tickets visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com or call the box office on 0844 338 5000.

Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB | 0844 338 5000

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