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The Imagine Theatre production of Snow White at De Montfort Hall, Leicester, delivered a lively and heartwarming pantomime that entertained kids and adults alike. Directed and written with flair, the show sparkled with standout musical performances, strong comedy, and audience interaction.
From the opening number, “Walking on Sunshine,” Snow White (Tash Bacarese-Hamilton) immediately dazzled with vibrant vocals and excellent crowd participation. The musical highlights continued, particularly with the Queen tribute number “I Want to Break Free,” showcasing X Factor Sam Bailey’s exceptional and powerful voice – a moment that received well-earned applause from the audience.
The comedy throughout was spot-on, with Jarred Christmas as Muddles emerging as a true scene-stealer. His effortless humour, good timing, and genuine warmth had the audience in laughter. There were a couple of times when he struggled with the script but was expert in ‘going with the flow’. His ability to engage children while slipping in more subtle jokes for adults created a perfect balance, ensuring the show was enjoyable for all ages.
A particular crowd-pleaser was the chaotic and hilarious version of “12 Days of Christmas,” where the usual “five gold rings” was replaced with “five toilet rolls.” The addition of water guns, as the cast sprayed the audience, was an absolute hit with the children, who squealed with delight.
Divine Di Campo’s rendition of Sia’s Unstoppable stood out as a strong musical number, beautifully performed and well-interpreted. The script combined traditional Snow White storytelling with clever local references and jokes about the Midlands that resonated with the Leicester crowd.
The cast worked well as an ensemble, bringing energy and chemistry to the stage. Stuart Rogers brought charm to the role of the Prince, and audiences can look forward to Blue’s Anthony Costa taking on the role later in the run – a nice addition for those who are fans.
While the staging was lovely, it felt slightly safe and could have benefitted from more creativity to match the energy of the performances. However, this didn’t detract from the overall experience, as the script and cast made up for it.
The production’s playful modern touches, clever humour, and brilliant vocal numbers ensured Snow White was a hit. With something for everyone – from cheeky adult jokes to children’s chaos-filled moments – this pantomime proved to be a festive family favourite at De Montfort Hall.
Venue
De Montfort Hall
Granville Road
Leicester
LE1 7RU
Dates
Friday 13 December 2024 - Sunday 5 January 2025
Price
Tickets from £19.50
Booking
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