Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Fairfield Halls, London

Writer: Jon Monie

Director: Sarah Redmond

Croydon may be a little late to the panto party this year, but Fairfield Halls’ festive offering is definitely worth the wait. With a keen eye to storytelling, this production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is sure to delight children and adults alike.

Other pantos, like the hilarious Jack and the Beanstalk at the New Wimbledon Theatre, take the ‘bam wham thank you mam’ approach, filling a short running time with gags and skits so much so that the story takes the backseat. Here, in Croydon, the fairy story is given time to breathe with the laughs part of the narrative rather than the main draw. Indeed, writer Jon Monie takes so long in setting the scene that the dwarfs don’t make their appearance until deep into the first half.

And it’s a decision that pays off. Director Sarah Redmond knows that the kids in the audience want to see a familiar story unfold in front of their eyes. And although Monie changes the plot a little, most children will be aware of the main thrust of the narrative. This method ensures that the characters are as fully formed as they could ever be in such a black-and-white story of good against evil.

Talking of evil, Kellie Shirley, who is from Croydon, is the perfect nasty Queen Grimelda, keen to have the Prince of Purley for herself. Fully committed to the role, Shirley ensures that there is not a good bone at all in the queen’s body, ardently telling the audience to “shaddap!” when she tires of the call-and-response interactions. And rather than be scared, the audience lap it up excitedly.

Just as sharp is Jamie Steen as Dame Dilly Donut, who is greeted with cheers every time she rocks up in a new frock. The traffic signs dress is a particular joy, with cones in just the right places, while her McDonald’s outfit looks good enough to eat. With a few risqué jokes for the adults in the audience, Dilly Donut is a real star.

Returning from last year, Charlie Guest is the affable Muddles, easily garnering the audience’s rapt attention, running around the stage – and the aisles – to the delight of all. Let’s hope he makes it a hat trick for next year. Snow White is played by the likeable Mia Overfield, while Callum Connolly is in very good voice as the slightly awkward Prince Percy. The energetic dancing is provided by children from the British Sparks Performers Theatre and Dance Academy, and they put their hearts into what is already a beaming pantomime.

Commendably, five of the seven dwarfs are played by actors with dwarfism (unlike Wimbledon two years ago when they were played by actors shuffling around on their knees) and even more refreshing is that they are all given major roles. Ali Mawji as Cheeky appears in a hilarious 12 Days of Christmas routine, while Jack Purvis as Prof is part of the equally funny Ghost Bench scene, which has everyone in the audience shouting at the top of their voices.

It just goes to show that you don’t need famous faces to bring the house down if the panto is well-written and inclusive. Croydon, take a bow.

Runs until 5 January 2025