Tupele Dorgu is simply outstanding as the Wicked Queen in UK Production’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at The Pavilion Theatre until January 7.
The actress, most famous for her role as Coronation Street’s spirited seamstress Kelly Crabtree, swaps Underworld for Pantoland and shines in the role of Snow White’s evil adversary.
Drawing inspiration from Disney’s back-catalogue of bad, Dorgu creates a Queen of mean which you can tell as an actress she relishes playing and you as a theatergoer will love to hate.
Amy Thompson of Channel Five Milkshake fame is an able Snow White and local talent and S4C favourite Craig Ryder as the Prince charms the audience.
Thompson plays the innocent young princess, treated like a slave and sent to the woods to her death by Dorgu for being the beauty of the kingdom.
She is spared by traditional comic turn Muddles played by Andy Jones, making a return to The Pavilion following his role in Peter Pan last year.
Muddles is put under a spell and ordered to carry out the dreadful deed and he leaves her in the woods alone to fend for herself - until she makes good her escape and happens upon a little house belonging to seven dwarfs who discover their new housemate after a hard day's hi-ho hi-ho’ing down the mines.
The cast of little people leave a big impression as do the outrageous sartorial ensembles worn by Nurse Dolly, played by live theatre veteran Douglas Mounce.
The performers are as always superbly supported by members of The Gay Harris Dancers and North Wales School of Dance.
Snow White is a cracking Christmas treat full of the usual Panto-tastic capers, cunning costumes, spellbinding set designs, and the obligatory ‘it’s behind you’ high jinks.
Add to this sparkling versions of hit songs from this year’s top pop acts, One Direction and Bruno Mars, which you will happily be whistling while you watch.
Saturday’s opening performance should have proved a daunting experience but this set of actors took it in their stride and engaged and enthused the audience, raising a laugh at the required moment and attracting boos when necessary.
Tickets for Snow White are available by visiting www.rhylpavilion.co.uk and calling 01745 330000.