This year, Oldham has a brand new pantomime to add to one of the genre’s busiest regions - the latest addition to Anton Benson’s (who also do the Rochdale’s Gracie Fields theatre’s) repertoire - and it’s rather good! (Oh, yes it is!). It is...Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Upon hearing of the venue for the show - Oldham College’s Grange Theatre - I wrongly assumed it to be a student show, not to their detriment, but I was pleasantly impressed at the cast on offer - a mix of professionals, ‘celebs’ and local legends. With Edele Lynch (of band B*witched fame) playing the super sparkly Wicked Queen Morgana, we are welcomed to settle in by fairy Trixie the Pixie (the sensational Kate Salmon) who did her very best to get the energy of the crowds up from the start. The same goes for comedy lead, Wally (Christopher Jeffries), who had great charm and chemistry with the audience, alongside local lad/legend Jeffrey Longmore as Vera Duckworth-esque Dame Dolly (Wally’s mother) who has great wit, experience and charisma.
Completing the principal line-up is Phil Mealey (known for Early Doors) as Horace the (Northern/Manc) Henchman; leading lady Enola Dyer (of BGT fame, apparently as part of a Disney inspired girl band called Misstasia'. The band reached the semi-finals in 2015) playing the show’s namesake; and the real stunning star of the show, Ronan Parke (Norfolk-born singer who came runner-up on Britain's Got Talent back in 2011 when he was 12 despite being the bookies' favourite to win, now 21) and we are extremely lucky to have him here, if not only for his aesthetic beauty, but that of his voice, personality and fun-loving nature. Affirming his affinity with Christmas, he released a Christmas single in 2012 (Not Alone This Christmas) and debuted another (Cheers) last year at Stockport’s festive lights switch on. He is a lovely yet somewhat shy Prince Charming, returning to pantomime after his nomination for Best Newcomer by The Great British Pantomime Awards for his theatre debut in Anton Benson’s Aladdin in 2017. “National treasure” astrologist Russell Grant provided the ‘edited’ pre-recorded projection of The Man In The Mirror, and we mustn’t forget the seven dwarfs whose names are unknown.
With great choreography by Beth Portman, executed by the talented dancers, there were plenty of musical theatre showtunes throughout the soundtrack, played by one-man band…(unknown due to there being no programme or reference to him on the flyer) - well done that man though! Opening with Leona Lewis’ ‘One More Sleep’, we are treated to ‘Naughty’ from Tim Minchin’s musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, ‘Shallow’ from the blockbuster film A Star Is Born, ‘Morning Person’ from Shrek, ‘Come Alive’ from The Greatest Showman, and the title song from the show ‘Anything Goes’ as well as ‘Dear Future Husband’ by Meghan Trainor, Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’, the ‘Monster Mash’, LunchMoney Lewis’ ‘(I Got) Bills’ and a slight reference to B*witched’s hit, ‘C’est La Vie’. We finished with ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’. We even witnessed ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ by Conchita Worst, performed on an impressive ‘flying’ broomstick!
With clever gags in the script, great soundtrack and brilliant cast, make for a great night of festive entertainment and a worthy pantomime of choice and welcome addition to the calendar...just take your waterproofs!
Reviewer - John Kristof
on - 23/12/19
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