Review: Show White, Mercury Theatre


A magical journey into fairy tale land the Mercury’s production of Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs is first class.

The Mercury Theatre’s pantomimes are always worth the trip up the A12 to Colchester and this year’s production is no exception, and is thoroughly enjoyable from the start.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs tells the classic tale of the beautiful princess Snow white, a magic mirror and an evil queen, who believes that it is she that is the most beautiful in the land. Queue seven dwarfs, who befriend snow white and keep her save until her handsome prince arrives…

A very strong cast brings the story to life in a fabulous way. Megan Bancroft is perfectly cast as Snow White and her father the King played by James Dinsmore is the perfect choice for the part.

Antony Stuart- Hicks returns to the Mercury again this year as Dame Nurse Nellie, and in our opinion he is the best Dame in pantoland, with his Lilly Savage style and amazingly quick wit Stuart-Hicks is a true star and made for a very comical performance – thankfully the more risqué jokes went over the heads of the younger audience members.

Mercury regular Dale Superville also returns to panto this year as hapless Muddles and once again proves a real hit.

Eastenders actress Carli Norris makes for the perfect villain as the wicked queen and her on stage chemistry with Dale Superville and Antony Stuart-hicks was outstanding. At Ipswich24 we know that your not meant to love the baddie, but we did and Norris played the part beautifully well.

Overall it’s another wonderful pantomime from the Made in Colchester team, full of fun and frolics, panto magic and clever puppetry, this production is up there with the best Christmas shows in the area.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will play at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester until Sunday 14th January. To book your tickets visit www.mercurytheatre.co.uk or call 01206 573948.

— Review Wendy Cook, Ipswich24 Magazine —
Pictures: Robert Workman