Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to the pantomime in Saundersfoot we go.

Humming a merry tune and whistling while they tread the boards of Saundersfoot's Regency Hall, the enthusiastic Saundersfoot Footlights are performing yet another Christmas cracker - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Oh yes they are, and what a colourful spectacular of costumes and scenery it is, not to mention, of course, a well-rehearsed cast of both main characters, lively chorus numbers and rhythmic dancing.

Taking the starring role as Snow White is Gemma Harland, who is every inch the fairytale princess and richly deserves the three cheers given to her by the cast.

Her wicked stepmother, Queen Catrina, played by Andrea Thomas, generates plenty of booing and hissing - particularly from the Brownies in the front rows on the night I attended - as the baddie of the show.

But mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? Jealous that Snow White is to become more beautiful than her, the nasty Queen plots to get rid of her rival. She arranges for her to be kidnapped and even poisons her with an apple.

But, of course, Janina Evans as the charismatic Prince Florian, comes to the rescue and, as in all good pantos, everyone lives happily ever after.

This really was a show to lift the spirits. Roger Lease plays a larger than life Dame Dolly in his usual flamboyant style, while the comedy duo, Gareth Morris as Reggie Rank and Paul Fifield as Phineas Phile, had us groaning at their hopeless plans to take the princess deep into the 'dark, dangerous forest'!

To top it all, Simple Simon - yes, I've remembered, 'Hiya Simon!' - played by Steve Butler had us aching with laughter at his ackfuls of corny jokes, and Allison Franklin made a comical appearance as Aggie, the wild woman of the woods!

The Seven Dwarfs, in their colourful costumes, were played by Hannah Bradley (Rusty), Chloe Thomas (Dusty), Brydie Allen (Snooze), Connor Rees (Swot), Talfan Jenkins (Dodger), Siriol Jenkins (Bodger) and India Gee (Noodle), while Eifion Jenkins played the eager to please court chamberlain, Sir Farley Fusspot, who was supported by the Lords and Ladies of the court - Alan Gee, Brian White, Josh Tanner, Leanne Algeo, Jane Hall and Hulda Wright.

And who could forget the green-eyed monster, Swampy (Elin Lawler), who gave a 'thriller' of a performance!

Other members of the cast were: village boy - Matthew Morris; mirror - Helen Wright; cats - Georgia Allen, Suzy Copestake, Ella Gee, India Gee; sprites - Holly Butler, Autumn Golding, Ewan Meredith, William Wright; birds - Leah Dougherty, Jasmine Hicks, Georgia Raymond-Morris, Cerys Swales; Thriller dancers - Leanne Algeo, Amy Deverson, Polly Elston, Katie Evans, Alan Gee, Lily Gee, Lauri Gee, Tom Griffiths, Beth Owen, Shannon Shields, Angharad Thomas, Josh Tanner, Kate Williams, Lauren Williams.

Production team: director - Helen Wright; production co-ordinator - Jo Morris; musical director - Kate Wright; pianist - Eileen Thomas; violinist - Joy Jenkins; drummer - Richard Allen; stage manager - Keith Williams; assistant - Vic Dennis; set design - Keith Williams; construction and stage crew - Kevin Watson, Jem Bayliss, Gavin Wright, Ceri Morris, Walt Stone and Andrew Thomas; choreography - Elin Lawler; costumes - Carolyn Elms and Pat Williams; front-of-house - Pauline Hunting and helpers; hair - Janina Evans; lighting and sound - Diane Phillips, Andrew Thomas and Kevin Watson; make-up - Natasha Allen and Linnia Dennis; props - Dave and Cath Morgan; publicity - Andrea Thomas; photographs - Sybil Whiston; refreshments - Stephanie Stevens; sweets - Begonia Sarrionandia.

So, all it leaves me to do is say in the words of one of the songs, 'Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay, my, oh my, what a wonderful show!'

The committee of Saundersfoot Footlights wish to express their special thanks to Evans Newsagents, Janina Louise, Tenby, Reohorn Amusements, the Regency Hall committee, Clayton Business Machines, Griggles, Tenby, Radio Pembrokeshire, Karen Evans, The Baytree.

It's still not too late to see this year's production. There's three more performances tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) at 7.30 pm. Doors open at 6.45 pm, and for those of you who don't like the dark nights, why not go to tomorrow's matinee performance. Doors open at 1.45 pm. Tickets available at the door.

Saundersfoot Footlights' next production - staged between May 25 and 30 - will be Oklahoma. Auditions will take place at the Regency Hall on Wednesday, January 7, at 7 pm, and Sunday, January 11, at 5.30 pm.

CERIS HEWLINGS