IN the run up to Christmas there's a time to suspend belief, let your imagination run wild and simply go with the flow.

And if the time is now, the place is Thurrock's Thameside Theatre where this season's professional family pantomime opened last night (Wednesday, 4 December).

Snow White is this year's offering from Polka Dot Pantomimes who have managed to tell this iconic story with a few twists, keeping a balance between storytelling and humorous additions.

You know Christmas is well and truly coming when you're in an auditorium full of wide-eyed, screaming kids desperately telling their heroine not eat a poisoned apple. Or screaming 'Behind you' as a giant apes jigs across the stage. That's the real wonder of panto.

Local youngsters will join the professional cast on stage throughout the run.

I'll be honest, there were some ragged edges around the show, but it was opening night and by the time the run ends in January, I'm sure they will have been ironed out.

And mistakes are always part of panto anyway – and if there's anyone better than our favourite local Dame, Luke Coldham, for getting over the glitches and script slips then I'll be surprised. Another top class effort as Nurse Nelly from the man with more wigs than you'll see in a barristers' changing room.

His primary comedy companion on the foray through the forest is Charles M Duke who grew in stature through the show and by the end was giving as good as he got to Luke's jibes.

The duo shared in some great exchanges, not least the first act's 'Who bought what where!' And an equally confusing and classic surlexiconicintrication about neighbours! See if you can get that in the script Luke!

The cast of Snow White.

Also coming up with some great chuckle lines, was theatrical veteran David Burton as Herman the Henchman. I remember him as Maurice in Beauty and the beast a couple of years ago and it's clear his love for panto is unabated.

Aside from the Dame, the centrepiece of any panto is the villain. And in, this edition of Snow White has someone right out of the top drawer.

Laura Jackson is Queen Morgana and she's got being evil off to an art, with terrific timing and a great voice to boot. I'll not give away too much but she deliver's the show's musical highlight with a truly wicked performance!

Her family were on hand to see Isabelle Byrne take centre stage as Snow White

The love interest is supplied by local talent Isabelle Byrne as Snow White and Jack Skones as Prince Charming and they carry off their roles well. Issy's proud and happy family helped raise the levels of praise as they revelled in her performance.

Cinem Gopaul is an engaging Fairy Fortune, the audience was not just bedazzled by her wand– but her delightful smile.

Speaking of smiling and sparkling, Jack Everson was a spectacular Spirit of the Mirror, even if he did remind me of Clinton Baptiste.

I haven't mentioned the dwarves, you'll have to go along and see for yourself how that's worked out. It's inventive and characterful - though I must admit I wasn't 100 per cent convinced.

All in all though, it was a enjoyable take on a timeless tale and I suspect I'll be drawn back in the coming weeks to watch it again and see how it's progressed.

And, of course, there is always the much-anticipated ruder, adult version to come in January. Though the joyful kids will be missed….

The first night show ended with a brief presentation from Friends of Essex & London Homeless (FOELH) founder Steven Stuart. This year's panto is suppporting the borough-based charity - whose motto is Kindness is Contagious. A superb way to end a great night. 

https://thurrock.nub.news/whats-on/family/snow-white-polkadot-christmas-pantomime-70576