Snow White | Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling Pantomime 2024
Written by Johnny McKnight | Directed by Julie Ellen
Macrobert Arts Centre | 29 November 2024 ⭐⭐⭐
The pantomime at Macrobert Arts Centre this Christmas may be named 'Snow White' but its storyline is a madcap mashup of The Sound of Music, Snow White, and other popular stories. The show begins in a convent, with nuns, a backdrop of hills and the unmistakable sound of music.
The Mother Thinks She's Superior (Kara Swinney) sends Sister Maria Shut-Yon-Trapp (Chris Forbes) out into the world to help the De'Wharff family. Captain De'Wharff has recently died, leaving the wicked Baroness Fantasia De'Wharff (Giga Gray) to care for their seven children and their step sisters Snow White (Tinashe Warikandwa) and Swanky (Helen McAlpine.) The children need a nanny to keep them in line so that the Baroness can pursue the dashing Prince Rupert Charming-Darling (Tiger Mitchell)... Step forward, Nanny Maria Shut-Yon-Trapp.
The concept and character names for this panto are inspired. The Hills around Stirling are alive with the sound of Johnny McKnight's genius this Christmas!
The storyline is very clever and perfect for the pantosphere. The clever twist on 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' removes any risk of complaints or opposition to casting either people with dwarfism in panto or for not casting people with dwarfism in panto. (There are very strong arguments from both sides.) McKnight has swiftly sidestepped such debate by writing Snow White's sidekicks as seven children of the upper-class De'Wharff family.
All the key plot points from Snow White and from the Sound of Music are present - minus the Nazis - but there are also nods to the Rocky Horror Show, Toy Story and more. But despite the strength of the book, this panto doesn't quite live up to its promise. It was always going to be difficult to equal the brilliance of last year's Macrobert panto 'Disco Aladdin' and that is indeed the case.
Panto Dame Chris Forbes - you may know him as his hilarious online persona 'The Other Murray Brother, Duncan' - is an undeniably funny comedian, but his Panto Dame could be larger, more excessive and boisterous. Forbes doesn't look entirely comfortable in the role, but perhaps that will come with time. As it stands, the Dame's fantastically extravagant costumes do a lot of the heavy lifting in providing the wow factor.
This panto loses its stride and falls a little flat in some places too. Some of the dialogue and sketches feel strained on delivery, and the baddie barely raises a boo from the audience. I understand there's a tricky balance to be had to not completely terrorise young children, but the Baroness could be a little more menacing maybe with makeup or costuming.
Where the show does excel is with its lively music and dance numbers, but it could do with a few more of them to keep the energy up in places. This panto is still a good one, but my expectations after last years show were sky-high and it's just missing the extra-special magic spark that elevated it to levels of greatness last year.
The bold, bright sets from Karen Tennent and colourful, outrageous costumes from Jennie Lööf are a highlight. There's lots of fun local references to tickle those familiar with the area. And Snow White (Tinashe Warikandwa) and Prince Rupert Charming-Darling (Tiger Mitchell) are solid, sweet protagonists to root and cheer for.
The shining star of this year's Macrobert panto is the wonderful Helen McAlpine who provides much of the energy and joy in the show. The audience seemed to sit up a little higher in their seats every time McApline bounced onto the stage.
McAlpine is as brilliant with the kids in the crowd as she is with the onstage cast: She projects rays of sunshine wherever she treads. This is exactly the kind of energetic and enthusiastic performer you need in your cast at Christmas. She's an utter delight, and Macrobert should do everything they can to hold on to her.
Kara Swinney has the best vocals in the cast. Swinney is an incredible talent, and she is hilarious playing the dual roles of the Mother Superior and of the privileged Felicia Fennington-Farrington-The Fourth. But she absolutely excels during the musical numbers. Her voice is stunning, and she leads the company with confident, powerful ease.
Swinney and McAlpine together are glorious.
Snow White at Macrobert Arts Centre is a bright, fun, traditional family panto that's technically well produced and delivers a quality christmas production. With top ticket prices well under the £30 mark and discounts for children, senior citizens and other groups, this is a mid-budget panto that delivers all the christmas trimmings you've come to expect with the added warmth you get from the magnificent Macrobert venue*.
If you're looking for a funny twist on some of your favourite festive fairy tales, Snow White at Macrobert Arts Centre delivers.
⭐⭐⭐
[*Macrobert Arts Centre is a fantastic place to visit at any time of year. The theatre seats are comfy and the main auditorium is bright and airy. The eternal craft exhibitions, coffee shop and all it's delicious goodies, and the welcoming staff are all worth the trek out of town for. One of my favourite venues in the central belt.]
🍎 Snow White is at Macrobert Arts Centre now until Tues 31 December 2024. See booking details here.
🚨 For younger children aged 5 & under, Santa's Magical Lighthouse is also playing at Macrobert this Christmas.
MORE: What other pantos are on in Scotland this year? Check out my panto guides here
MORE: Find Lisa in the Theatre on Instagram @lisa_inthetheatre and Twitter / X @Lisa_Theatre
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Macrobert Arts Centre panto 2024: Snow White CAST
Nanny Maria Shut Yon Trapp Chris Forbes
Snow White De’Wharff Tinashe Warikandwa
Swanky De’Wharff Helen McAlpine
Prince Rupert Charming-Darling Tiger Mitchell
Felicia Fennington-Farrington-The Fourth
& Mother Thinks She’s Superior Kara Swinney
The Baroness Fantasia De’Wharff Giga Gray
Understudy & Dance Captain Olivia Adams
Understudy Ryan Towart
Macrobert Arts Centre panto 2024: Snow White CREATIVE
Written by Johnny McKnight
Directed by Julie Ellen
Musical Director, Composer, Arranger Alan Penman
Associate Director
& Senior Young Cast Leader Jennifer Dick
Set Designer Karen Tennent
Costume and Make Up Designer Jennie Lööf
Choreographer Steph Fulton
LX Designer Derek Anderson
📸 production photos: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
Snow White Booking Details
🍎 Snow White is at Macrobert Arts Centre now until Tues 31 December 2024.
🚨 For younger children aged 5 and under, Santa's Magical Lighthouse is also playing at Macrobert this Christmas. More info: https://www.macrobertartscentre.org/shows/583827APSTNQVHKTGHTHQLNKQBKCKJLRL
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