Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs At The Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Review

Reviewed by Lynsey Miller

The self-acclaimed “fairest pants in the Land” as always lived up to expectations. This year’s panto was loosely based on the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The legendary comic duo Allan Stewart and Grant Stott made a return to the stage this year in their outrageous costumes and hilarious mess ups. Only this time the stage was in the temporary home home of the Festival Theatre. As always they did a fantastic job in bringing the tale to life in true Christmas panto style and had everyone including themselves and especially the younger audience laughing out loud as they delivered that traditional slap stick banter that makes the Edinburgh Christmas panto so special. With Allan Stewart as Nurse May, Andy and Grant Stott as Lord Lucifer the not so scary baddie – what could possibly go wrong!

The duo were joined on stage by Rivercity’s gangster Jordon Young as my kids personal favourite Muddles and Clare Gray returning as Princess Lavinia. Both were excellent with Joey having a great time engaging with the kids. Amongst the cast were also some other famous faces such as Liz Ewing as Queen Dragonella, Brian James Leys as Prince Hamish and Francesca Ross as Snow White. Together with the wider ensemble really gave this production a professional yet fun family feeling. The whole cast looked like they were having as much fun as the audience. It was hard at times to tell what was scripted and what was not.

This fun and current Scottish / Edinburgh take on a house hold favourite story is for all ages with just the right amount of silliness for the kids but with hilarious one liners and current jokes from tv to politics for the adults.

There was a huge amount of audience participation throughout as any good panto should have. And some great current music that got people dancing and singing along with some older numbers mixed in for the parents and grandparents. Even the programme was of great quality with puzzles etc for children to take home. The stage backdrop was stunning and costumes as always looked fantastic. But the special stage effects were really amazing. By far up there with the best I’ve seen.

The Festival was a great alternative to the King’s for a festive family night out. Although more modern it still provided that traditional panto atmosphere, with friendly staff, plenty bars and snack stalls. Located in the heart of Edinburgh City Centre it is easily accessible by public transport but also has plenty of parking close by. And has a wide range of bars and restaurants surrounding it for pre-and post-theatre drinks and food.

My family and I had a great evening shouting, laughing, and singing from beginning to end watching the legendary cast get up to their old panto tricks. I would recommend the show to all audiences – young and old, families, couples or friends – there is something for everyone. It certainly got me in the Christmas spirit.

Rating:  I would give a very merry five stars out of five for this Christmas cracker of a panto!

The pantomime is on from Saturday 17th December 2022 until Sunday 22nd January 2023

Tickets cost from £26.50

For more information or to book tickets please visit The Panto: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (capitaltheatres.com)