Hyde Festival Theatre has once again delivered a festive treat with its family pantomime Snow White, directed with flair and energy by Daniel Oliver-Grant.
From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear the audience - packed with all ages - were in for an afternoon of laughter, sparkle, and the kind of panto magic that brings the whole community together.
Racheal Coogan was a delight as Snow White, bringing warmth, charm, and a gorgeous singing voice to the princess of Hydenland. Jack Evans made a dashing Prince Percy, while Amber Kennerley commanded the stage as the Evil Queen, whose wickedness was matched only by her brilliant ability to get the audience involved. Her presence was powerful, funny, and just the right amount of terrifying for the little ones.
Hyde’s own Dame Daphne, played by Scott Lees, stole scene after scene. His impeccable timing, outrageous costumes, and cheeky jokes - some very obviously aimed at the adults - had the whole theatre in stitches. One particularly hilarious highlight was the unexpected star of the night: Mike from the audience, chosen by Dame Daphne as her “lucky man.” His willingness to play along made the moment unforgettable.
Tom Dodd as Billy, Erin Bradbury as Betty, and Adam Carter as Brandon brought buckets of enthusiasm, while Jem Marshall-Ayre won hearts as Duncan the Duck. Another standout feature was Rickay the Rat, voiced by Hyde’s own YouTube star Tom Cassell (Syndicate), whose familiar voice brought huge cheers from the crowd.
The seven dwarfs were a joy to watch, each bringing their own spark to the stage. Special mention must go to Alexa Mottershead as Grouchie, her confidence, comedic timing, and stage presence were astonishing for someone so young and earned her some of the loudest applause of the night.
The dancers were fantastic throughout, elevating every scene with polished routines and infectious energy. The singing, too, was consistently strong across the cast, making the musical numbers some of the highlights of the production.
Act 2’s dance-off to defeat the Evil Queen was a particular favourite, packed with brilliant song choices and a level of fun that had every child (and most adults!) clapping along. And yes, the now-famous “67 joke” had every kid in the audience screaming with glee.
Overall, Snow White was a triumph. Hilarious, heartwarming, and brimming with talent from top to bottom, it’s no surprise the show has sold out. If seats were still available, I’d be booking again without hesitation.
A huge well done to everyone involved, Hyde Festival Theatre has once again shown why its pantomime remains a treasured Tameside tradition.
