Review: Lincoln New Theatre Royal’s annual Christmas Panto Snow White running until January 5.

A fun and fabulous romp through a classic fairytale left me with aching cheeks from smiling so much.

Lincoln New Theatre Royal’s annual Christmas Panto this year takes on the tale of Snow White, which runs until January 5.

As an in-house production, everything had a real warmth to it. You could tell that everyone involved was having the best time, from the front of house staff, to the actors on stage.

At the top of the show we were in for a bit of an unexpected surprise… I always say it isn’t really panto unless something goes wrong, and I didn’t have to wait long as within the first 30 seconds, pyrotechnics set fire to the leaves of a prop tree.

Shouts of “the tree’s on fire” were eventually answered as a mysterious stage hand appeared from the wings to put out the embers and eventually yanked the prop tree off stage altogether.

But in true panto fashion, the show must go on and the incident was referenced for the rest of the evening much to the amusement of the audience. Clearly an accident, but professionally handled and seamlessly worked into the show, credit must go to the performers.

And the performers definitely gave it their all, keeping the audience laughing, and the children excited all night.

Stand up comedian Patrick Monahan did a great job as Muddles, the slapstick side character who can’t help but mess things up. He put his improvisational talents to the test and made jokes on the fly which kept the mums and dads in the room just as entertained as the boys and girls.

The Wicked Queen, played by former X Factor contestant Amelia Lily, and the The Enchantress in the Mirror, played by the theatre’s very own Natalie Hayes-Cowley, came as quite the double act.

The pair played off each other very well, and had some hilarious exchanges.

Returning to Lincoln for a second time, just one year after making his panto debut on the very same stage, was Olympic gymnast Louis Smith.

He was wonderful as The Huntsman and had his moments to shine, showcasing a surprising talent for physical comedy.

And Snow White’s titular character was played Sophie Towns, who proved what an exceptional young talent she is and instantly won the crowd over.

There was a lot of room for improvisation and audience interaction too — from the classic “he’s behind you” call and response gags, to chatting with the public, it only added to the fun.

Although, I did feel especially sorry for a man named Pete, who was there with his troop of Scouts and Beavers. Often used as a call back or the punchline to a joke, this led to some hilarious moments as he never knew when he was safe from the spotlight.

But, this is the essence of what I love so much about panto, it’s never the same show twice. Things change from night to night and the audience plays just as big a part as the characters on stage.

I took my brother with me, who had not been to the panto since we were both children, and by his own admission had a great time.

So, I would encourage everyone to get down and see this show — whether as a family or with friends, young or old, there is something for everyone,

It was silly and stupendous, funny and fabulous, Snow White is everything I want a panto to be and you’ll leave the theatre with a big smile on your face. — FB