There was plenty of panto pandemonium at the Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, last week, as the Pater Panto Society staged its 29th highly successful annual production.
For the fourth year in succession, the society opted for an all youth cast, but watching their highly polished and professional production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, one would never guess that none of the cast was older than 18 and, for many, it was their first time on stage.
Directed by Mel Laugharne and Michael George with the assistance of society stalwart, chairman Trish Thomas, the production was a refreshingly different and bubbly retelling of the famous Grimm fairytale, chock full of all the usual panto paraphernalia, knockabout humour, corny gags, foot-tapping songs, bags of audience participation and first-rate performances.
The story is familiar enough. Pretty Snow White (an assured Chantelle James) lives an idyllic life, looked after by her nurse, Dame Natterwick (an ebullient Marc Styles).
However, when her father, the Baron Weekinizi (Jo Roberts), marries Queen Scarlet, the Red Queen of Poppydale (Katie Birch relishing in her deliciously wicked role), her idyll is shattered.
Angered after being told by her magic mirror that Snow White is prettier than her, and discovering that she is betrothed to Roger the Prince of Bulbonia (Victoria Merton), Queen Scarlet decides to do something about it.
The Queen's first plan is to get Snow White married off to her cousin Alexis (Yvette Amos in a stand-out role).
However, her Machiavellian machinations are overheard by her servants Jane and Jenks (Rhiannon Heath and Danny Carroll lending more than able support) and the duo, fed up with bad treatment by the Queen, warn Snow White.
Snow White escapes to the woods where she meets up with the Seven Dwarfs.
The septet, Gemma Haines, Stacie Hall, Kirsty Hughes, Lucy Scourfield, Mia Bond, Sara Morgan and Shan Morgan, have sworn never to allow a woman into their cottage, but they are soon won over by Snow White's charm and they resolve to help her.
The wicked Queen tracks down Snow White, poisoning her with an apple, but true love, in the shape of Roger, saves the day and Snow White, Roger and the dwarfs, aided by Iris, the fairy of the pool (Aisling Phillips), make a triumphant return to the Baron's palace, leading to happy-ever-afters all round - even for the wicked queen, who is forgiven by Snow White.
With lively musical numbers - directed by Rebecca Evans and Maxine Rolls, with Stephen Hubbard on drums - energetic dance routines and spectacular costumes created by Pat Heath, Sandra Weatherall and Fiona Phillips, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was an enthusiastically entertaining production, with the youngsters displaying a confidence and maturity that belied their tender years.
A worthy addition to the long line of successes staged by the society since its formation in 1973, the vitality of the young cast was a ray of sunshine on a cold winter's night and garnered justifiable praise from a virtual full-house.
As any good pantomime should, it brought smiles to the faces of young and old and displayed just how talented Pembrokeshire youngsters can be.
Other roles were taken by: King of the Fairies - James James; Queen of the Fairies - Emma Morgan; Messenger - Lorna Weatherall; Servants - Rhiannon Jones, Clare Lewis, Llewys Howells, Luke Mitchell; Voice of the mirror - Lesley Bugby; A cat - James James; Lady Hussling (Whimsie) - Louise Reynolds; Billy - Luke Mitchell; Silly - Alison Williams; Elf - Llewys Howells.
Fairies - Amy Hanson, Amy Heath, Elizabeth Collings, Louise Jones, Rhiannon Jones, Emma Morgan, Sian Thompson, Claire Lewis.
Dancers - Emma Morgan, Claire Lewis, Sian Thompson, Louise Reynolds, Elizabeth Collings, Luke Mitchell, Llewys Howells, Alison Williams, Rhiannon Jones, Louise Jones, Lorna Weatherall, Amy Heath, Amy Hanson.
Ballroom - Lucy Scourfield, Stacie Hall, Sara Morgan, Shan Morgan, Gemma Haines, Mia Bond, Emma Morgan, Alison Williams, Sian Thompson, Amy Hanson, Amy Heath, Elizabeth Collings, Lorna Weatherall, Louise Jones, Aisling Phillips.
Of course, no production would be possible without all the hard work behind the scenes, with the stage crew of Sally James, Carol Griffiths, Steve Butler, Gary Blount, Lesley Bugby and Reg Thomas ensuring smooth and effective transitions from scene to scene.
Other unsung heroes behind the scenes were: Prompter - Trish Thomas; ticket sales - Mrs. June Williams; make-up - Rebecca Wetherall; props - Diane Doherty; programmes - Pembroke Dock Sea Cadets; first aid - St. John Ambulance; lighting - Rees Sounds, Carmarthen.