Snow White at De Montfort Hall, Leicester Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Gemma F

It’s that time of year again!……Oh yes it is! Panto season is upon us as young and old alike excitedly head off each Christmas to watch family favourite tales come to life on the big stage. This Christmas De Montfort Hall in Leicester has a real Christmas cracker of a panto for you! Snow White is as bright and brilliant as the wicked queen’s sequins, as bold and beautiful as the Spirit of the Mirror’s singing and as silly as the toilet rolls and dwarves!

De Montfort Hall is a grand and opulent theatre with ample and reasonably priced parking on site. Set in a beautiful green park, all right in the heart of the city! The staff are among the most welcoming I’ve ever come across in any theatre and there is a bar area and seating for drinks and snacks.

Brought to you by De Montfort Hall and Imagine Theatre, written by Eric Potts and directed by Janice Dunn, Snow White is packed to the brim with everything you could ever want from a panto….and much more. It delivers one liners, classic tunes, laugh out loud moments and outrageous costumes right through to a beloved bra that was ‘meant to hold three’ (IYKYK!).

When the Wicked Queen’s magic mirror declares that Snow White is the fairest in the land, the Wicked Queen is overcome with jealousy. Will Snow White defeat the Queen, meet a dashing prince, and will love prevail?

It says on the theatre’s website ‘Drag superstar of stage and screen and finalist in Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK season 1, Divina De Campo plays the evil Queen Morgiana. Divina is known for her high soprano and four octave range which have landed her leading roles in musicals and pantomimes across the country!’ She really is an absolute star. Her vocal range and pure wicked energy is incredible, this is a queen who truly ‘sleighs’ this Christmas!

This cast may have faced a change of actor recently but they have risen admirably to what must have inevitably provided them with a last minute challenge, and the role of dashing Prince Laurence of Loughborough will now be played by Blue star, Antony Costa. On the evening we attended, however, we were treated to a performance by Stuart Roger who stepped up to play the handsome Prince, he played the role with regal perfection! Bravo Stuart, an excellent understudy and talented choreographer!

This show is nothing short of excellent. It’s a fun-filled fabulous festive feast for the eyes with costumes and dance routines that dazzle its audience. There are so many stand out moments in this show that I could mention but particular praise goes to a total shining star, X-Factor winner Sam Bailey, who plays The Spirit of the Mirror. What a voice! It added pure class to what is already a brilliant show and for laugh out loud brilliance, comedian Jarred Christmas is guaranteed to have young and old roaring with laughter as he dazzles as ‘Muddles’ the lifelong best friend of Snow White.

I challenge you not to laugh out loud, dance, sing (loudly!) and feel pure joy watching this masterpiece of pantomime. If I could give this 6/5 stars, I would! Snow White at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall is pure festive joy. Will you love every moment?…..OH YES YOU WILL!

Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £19.50
Snow White is on stage from Friday 13th December 2024 – Sunday 5th January 2025.
Box Office: 0116 2333111
www.demontforthall.co.uk
De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester. LE1 7RU