Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to pantoland and a serving of one-liners from panto Queen May McFettridge.
Playing her 33rd Grand Opera House panto, May, aka John Linehan, didn’t disappoint in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I was just glad I wasn’t sitting in the front two rows!
“I’m delighted to be here. I’m delighted to be anywhere at my age,” said May, who this year played May of the Mirror.
Jokes on Tesco meal-deals, the Twelfth of July, Stormont and Ballymena people followed.
She was joined by her side-kick Paddy Jenkins who featured in the Oscar and BAFTA award-winning short film An Irish Goodbye, as The Wicked Queen’s Henchman.
His quick-witted interaction with the audience was worthy of an audition to be a future panto Dame.
The hilarious Phil Walker, son of Catchphrase legend Roy Walker, completed the cluesome threesome as court jester Muddles.
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Amongst their silliness, credit must be given to the trio for their tongue-twisting lines and delivery during the search for Muddles lost shirt.
Returning to the Grand Opera House stage following their appearances in Cinderella last year was Lurgan’s Conor Headley as the Prince Conall of Coleraine and Belfast’s Jolene O’Hara as Queen Dragonella.
In her stunning crimson and black dress, Jolene, with her strong vocals, impressed as the evil witch.
There are no bad apples in this cast, with young Dublin actress Aisling Sharkey having the crowd rooting for Snow White as the Queen tried to poison her.
The Magnificent Seven, including father and son Andy and Kyle Herd, delight audiences with their quest to save Snow White from the Wicked Queen.
There was a great buzz of excitement about the theatre and young and old joined in the singing of the popular Disney songs Heigh Ho and Whistle While You Work.
Britain’s Got Talent street dance troupe Flawless showed off their acrobatics in the role of The Queen’s Guards.
Stunning scenery, lighting, breathtaking choreography and jaw-dropping costumes, especially during a winter wonderland scene, added to the magic of this fairytale story of good defeating evil. Oh, yes it did.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs continues at Belfast’s Grand Opera House until January 14, 2024. Tickets from Goh.co.uk
