So everyone at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley - well all the women, and maybe me in particular - are expecting an aging former Page Three girl who can't sing, can't dance, has no stage presence and looks like she's lived life to the full and has the wrinkles to prove it.
But damn it, if she wasn't just great! There was so much irony throughout the panto when Prince Michael called her an ugly hag or an old witch - because she so clearly isn't and given a choice I think most men in the audience would have plumped for Queen Lucretia any day above Snow White (Danielle Courtney-Smith) Linda even carried off dodgy sound gear in the first scene without a look of dismay.
Aside from life's injustices, the panto - directed by Sam Kane and assisted by Linda - was quite simply brilliant. There was plenty of thigh slapping action - and what thighs there were to slap - if only Sam Kane's doublet could be a little higher or he could lift his arms a little more.
What shall we say about Sam? His voice is superb, he engages with the audience who enjoyed the chemistry and injokes between him and his wife Linda and he is the Prince Charming every woman dreams of finding in her stocking on Christmas Day.
We also loved Muddles - played by Phil Lowen - who should be on TV more as I think I told him at the party afterwards (where there was lots of free wine). His facial expression, comic timing and fetching green frog suit with Lycra thong action gave him our empathy which made us want him to get the love of his life Snow White.
The costumes were bright and fresh looking - not tattered and torn after 15 years of panto; the jokes were traditional and groan-worthy (as they should be in any panto) and the dancing was varied and lively.
Young dancers from the Debbie Fyffe Theatre School were amazing as they trotted out in different costumes, remembered their moves perfectly and smiled their hearts out. Who could not say 'ahhh' at the sight of all those little animals prancing around in the forest? |
