“Snow White”, produced by Carousel Theatre for Young People, is a play developed for audiences over the age of five and runs for 75 minutes. The show is fast-paced, interactive and cheeky, winning over the hearts of the audience on the opening night. This classic fairytale was originally written in German by the Grimm Brothers back in the 19th century. In the recent decades, the story has been widely critiqued for perpetuating certain antiquated ideals. Perhaps, this is what prompted playwright Greg Banks to develop an updated children’s play that narrates a plot with fresh twists to the beloved tale.
The adaptation by Greg Banks consists of only two characters – Snow White and one of the dwarves (known by his number – Four). Together, they take on the Brechtian task of narrating the story by impersonating all other roles – the evil queen, huntsman, the rest of the 6 dwarves, the prince – to name some. The creative team at Carousel Theatre for Young People have added another character to the cast – a live musician (played brilliantly by MJ Coomber). On the opening night, Katrina Teitz played Snow White and Carly Pokoradi played Four. Their camaraderie was greeted with delighted squeals of laughter by the children in attendance.
The script by Greg Banks steers clear of ableist and racist depictions. For instance: Instead of wishing for a child with skin as white as snow, this version has Snow White’s mother asking for a child with a heart as fair as snow. Throughout the play, we witness multiple character switches and meta-narration that often breaks the fourth wall. In this regard, the play does not underestimate the intellect of its mostly young audience. The retelling subverts many fairytale tropes and orients the journey of Snow White towards an ending that steers clear of heteronormative cliches. I wonder why there was no attempt made to subvert the misogynist characterization of the evil queen’s vanity. That being said, I am highly appreciative of Carousel Theatre’s decision to portray a flamboyant musician who is gender-fluid and joyously queer.
Actors Teitz and Pokoradi have a charming stage presence. Aiding their character switches is an array of throw-on costumes, cleverly designed by Emily Frieson. The limited area on the stage is well-utilized with efficient set design and props (Monica Emme) that take on multiple functions. Rebekah Johnson’s lighting design has an immersive quality, especially while depicting the forest in diffused shades of green. Perhaps the most entertaining element is MJ Coomber’s musical presence. They playfully flit around the stage without intruding upon the main scene, impeccably enhancing the narration with tunes from the accordion. The production is radically vibrant and is sure to add much needed magic to the holiday season.
Snow White is currently playing in Granville Island’s Waterfront Theatre with shows until December 31st, 2023. Book your tickets here.
– Annapoorna Shruthi