Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 31st December 2023
Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock
4****
The Mayflower has had another cracker show grace the stage in Southampton – and it is truly worth the watch!
Christopher Biggins (panto royalty!) joins Kirsty Ingram, Ashley Banjo, Kev Orkian and Rachel Stanley as the fantastic cast members of this fabulous family friendly fun.
With a magic mirror telling the Wicked Queen she is no longer fairest in the land and she sets out to get rid of Snow White once and for all, so she can marry the handsome Prince Ashley (Diversity’s front man). Ashley Banjo was joined by the royal guardsman (the rest of Diversity) and they exploded onto the stage with fabulous dances, pyrotechnics and sparklers. A real treat for the eyes. The whole cast was superb, singing a medley of well known songs led by musical director Anthony England and his fabulous band. The best and most exciting part of the show was Muddles (Kev Orkian) who instantly built a perfect rapport with the audience-picking on the front row members of the audience as his victims for interaction!
The set and costuming for this show was outstanding – with incredible sequins, Santas sleigh and even a dragon that came out of the stage and atop the audience’s heads!
It was joy to watch and hear the gasps of delight of the children and well as the roars of laughter from the adults at the more tongue in cheek jokes! This is a fabulous night out and one that you should not miss-a perfect Christmas family excursion.