Reviewed by Faith Jessel
Hold on to your Santa hats - the holiday hijinks are sneaking up on us fast! But never fear, merry makers will revel in the hilarity of Snow White’s shenanigans taking centre stage at Parramatta Riverside Theatre. Expect colourful characters bursting into lively song, over-the-top insults being thrown at the villain, and heaps of witty one-liners.
Bonnie Lythgoe's legendary pantomime career shines in Snow White, featuring vibrant costumes, high-energy ensemble dancing, and a unique blend of classic comedy with modern-day storytelling flair. It delivers non-stop excitement and lively banter with celebrity appearances, some touching moments, and playful twists referencing current events. (Did anyone mention Raygun? You betcha) Yes, this production has something for everyone.
In a show that’s well over 2 hours long, where the cast is always breaking the fourth wall, they did remarkably well to keep both young and old fully engaged and entertained. Rallying cheers for the heroine and jeers for the wicked Queen delivered infectious enthusiasm, while some of the funniest parts were the jokes cleverly crafted to fly over the kids' heads, delighting the grown-ups in the audience.
Eliza Sunderland's Snow White is a true joy, with a sweet voice and enchanting whimsy that lights up the stage. Her "Time After Time" duet with the charming Prince Sebastian (a very handsome Tim Maddren) is a highlight. But the real comedic wonder happens when she's surrounded by the 7 bumbling courtiers (remember this is an updated version of the classic fairytale) who bounce around the stage with hilarious shenanigans, goofy gags, and physical comedy. Their knickerbocker break-dancing was worth the ticket price alone.
Musical theatre royalty, Debora Krizak is the very, VERY Wicked Queen. The definitive villainous diva, chewing up and spitting out the scenery - including the first 10 rows of the stalls. She steals the show with outrageous antics and perfectly timed, campy, and sinister humour, leaving the audience in stitches and begging and booing for more. And the final flourish? Her fabulous singing.
Barry Pearl, the iconic Doody from 'Grease', plays the lovable Chambers. The script makes many playful nods to the original film musical, including a few choice, groan-inducing one-liners and song mentions. Alas, no one was referred to as a "beautiful blonde pineapple."
Mark Jones brilliantly hogs the spotlight as Muddles, court jester and Snow White's smitten best friend, bringing slapstick banter, funny faces and mayhem to the stage. He really is a panto pro; the pièce de résistance! Undoubtedly the 'Ghostie Ghostbusters' scene, followed by a bizarrely brilliant rendition of 'The 12 Days of Christmas' - complete with 5 toilet rolls hilariously hurled into the audience at regular intervals, milking maximum enjoyment and laughter.
The Mirror of Disgruntlement is fittingly portrayed by a pre-recorded Kyle Sandilands, because who better to grumble at everything than a professional grump? Projected onto a descending screen that flies down onto the stage, he's almost as annoyed by the effort in tackling pantomime's rhyming couplets. His perfect counterbalance is the wonderful Sir Cliff Richard as the Mirror of Enchantment, wooing the audience with iconic hits and nostalgic gems that have all the over-60s singing along. He's still got that Summer Holiday sparkle, Bachelor Boy charm, and Move It magic - a true legend!
Pantomime is a beloved theatrical tradition where kids are the true stars, bringing deafening cheers and delighted shrieks and shouts that make the show a triumph. It's the sound of their laughter, their eager interjections of, "He's behind you!", that truly makes a pantomime a pantomime, a joyous celebration that's alive and thriving in this sparkling production.
Beyond the joy and silliness, pantomime plays an essential role in the holiday season, offering a special kind of timeless wonder that brings families together for a shared experience of laughter, music, and interaction, keeping the spirit of theatre alive for all ages. So don't miss Snow White, the fairest show of them all. It's an absolute blast for everyone!
See https://riversideparramatta.