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Michael Cox thinks audiences will find 'much to revel in' with this year's pants offering at the King's in Edinburgh.
Let’s be honest: the Edinburgh King’s panto could just as well be called ‘The Stewart, Gray & Stott Christmas Show’ every year—some years the supposed main characters end up being glorified cameos in their own stories to make way for the real stars.
This year’s show, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is a bit of a happy medium: the headliners get to frolic, mug and steal the stage, but at least Snow White gets her tale told (even if it’s sometimes an afterthought, especially in the second half). And Frances Mayli McCann makes for an excellent Snow: great stage presence and easy to empathise with, along with having a beautiful voice.
As usual, the production values are quite solid, with impressive direction, design and performances. Greg Barrowman returns as the male lead, and not only does he turn in another great performance but is able to hold his own against the star trio (and might end up becoming a King’s regular, if another theatre doesn’t snap him up). The seven dwarfs are a lot of fun whenever they’re on stage, but they don’t have much stage time.
That would be because the spotlight must be given to Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott’s shenanigans. The last few years have been a bit off-and-on with the overall success of their routines. Thankfully, the trio are on fire this year: the jokes have a higher hit rate (and seem a bit bluer) than usual, and the interplay between the three always comes across as a delight throughout. In-jokes, buzz words and attempts to catch each other out: they’re obviously having a great time on stage; luckily, so are we in the audience.
Those looking for a straight rendition of Snow White or clean, wholesome family fare might want to venture elsewhere; fans of Stewart, Gray and Stott, along with those looking for a good night out, will find much to revel in here.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs performs at the Kings in Edinburgh until January 17.
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