The Grove bagged a bargain worthy of Rodney and Delboy when they stole some of Harry Potter’s elves for this year’s family panto, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs.
It’s fair to say the antics of the little actors proved a wizard attraction especially when one, Ollie Clarke, broke into Psy’s Gangnam Style (a firm favourite with pantos everywhere this Christmas).
The big name for this year’s show was former Only Fools And Horses star Sue Holderness, who played Marlene in the hit BBC series. And if anyone wasn’t sure who she was then they didn’t need to look further than the lobby where Del Boy’s iconic yellow Robin Reliant was parked.
Sue played the very glamorous and evil Queen Esmerelda and, I must say, that when she asked the mirror who was the fairest one of all I felt like shouting out that it was her.
Traditional-looking Snow White was singer-actress Alexis Strum and she made a very fetching princess. Her Prince Charming was making a return to The Grove and back to the part he played four years ago.
In 2008 Stephen Dean starred with his EastEnders’ sis, Letitia, in only the venue’s second ever panto. This time he was back on his own and he showed his mettle with an exciting sword-fight and a few romantic duets with the leading lady.
The dame was also making a return visit. Simon Bashford’s Dame Donut revived the tradition of throwing goodies out into the audience and it was appreciated by those lucky enough to catch them.
But, hi ho, everyone enjoyed the appearance of the seven dwarfs and it was a delight to see the producers, Duo Pantomime Productions, return to casting real little people instead of, like previously, young dancers wearing outsized costumes.
These talented stars were veterans of stage and screen – and the sports hall. Michael Walter is regularly seen in Emmerdale; Alan Bennett has been in a Star Wars movie as well as Harry Potter; Andrew Martin is a gold medallist parabadminton player; Mike Edmunds is another Star Wars and HP regular; Ollie was a Gringott’s goblin; Steve Haze has done HP and appeared in Shameless and even the group’s only girl, Zoe Midgley has had roles in the Potter series as well as Nanny McPhee.
Snow White has everything for the boys and girls - a soppy love story, comedy with the dwarfs, and a fight between good and evil played out between the wicked queen and her henchman, Jason, and the heroic Prince and Fairy Kindheart.
Simon Burbage was the knockabout unlucky-in-love comic hero Muddles and played the role like a young Lee Evans. There was lots of slapstick and he worked hard to get the audience involved in the fairy-tale.
A pair of giant balls went down well with the first night crowd although those in the circle were unable to join in the fun, which was restricted to those sitting in the stalls.
Snow White runs until January 6. For tickets and times call the box office 01582 602080 or go online www.grovetheatre.co.uk
