About the panto

Snow White is the title character of a fairy tale known from many countries in Europe, the best known version being the German one collected by the Brothers Grimm. The German version features elements such as the magic mirror and the seven dwarfs, who were first given individual names in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).

In the many non-German versions, the dwarfs are generally robbers, while the magic mirror is a dialog with the sun or moon. In a version from Albania, the main character lives with 40 dragons and her sleep is caused by a poisoned ring, not an apple. The beginning of the story has a twist, in that a teacher urges the heroine to kill her evil stepmother so that she would take her place. The origin of this tale is debated; it is likely no older than the Middle Ages.

The 1937 Disney version popularised the tale as we know it today; the beautiful and good Snow White, her evil Stepmother, the handsome Prince and of course, the much loved comic creations of the Dwarfs. In the end, as in all good stories, good triumphs over evil and everyone, including the Wicked Queen, gets what they deserve.

MyLight Productions version of the tale follows the original fairy story closely, offering strong principal roles and plenty of ensemble work. Our Snow White is a feisty young woman who sees the good in everyone but in the end, foils the machinations of her evil Stepmother, marries her Prince and of course, lives happily ever after!

Sample script

THE QUEEN’S BEDROOM

The scene is very simply set front of tabs. There is a large upholstered throne embellished with an ornate letter ‘E’ and a dressing table with any number of outsized jars and bottles containing various beauty creams and potions on it. In front of the dressing table is a small stool. The magic mirror is suspended centre stage, quite high up so that it is not in the actors’ way but remains usable. The floor will need to be covered with a polythene sheet.

As the lights come up the Queen is pacing to and fro between the dressing table and throne. She has a hairbrush in one hand and a small hand mirror in the other, obviously preparing herself to meet the Prince.

QUEEN Oh, how exciting. A handsome Prince looking for the hand of a beautiful princess in marriage. Well,

we’ll soon see about that. If he came expecting to marry a Princess, how much better if he ends up

married to the Queen! In any case, the magic mirror says Snow White is no-where near a match for me

in looks or charm, is she?

AUDIENCE Yes!

QUEEN Oh, no she isn’t

AUDIENCE Oh yes she is ………….(and so on)

QUEEN Just to be on the safe side, perhaps I’d better check.

A child servant enters, rather nervously

SERVANT Excuse me your Majesty. The Prince is here!

QUEEN Not now, you idiot. Ask him to wait outside for a few minutes.

The servant exits

QUEEN Magic mirror!

The lights play on the mirror’s surface and we hear it’s voice

MIRROR What is your wish, oh Queen?

QUEEN Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?

MIRROR Thou, O Queen, art the fairest in the land

QUEEN Are you certain, there is no other?

MIRROR No other as lovely in the land

As is the one close at hand

But beware, another’s beauty grows stronger

And the Prince will love her, gazing in wonder

QUEEN Rubbish! I have enough potions and spells here to ensure that I remain more beautiful than any other for

as long as I wish. Be gone!

MIRROR Temper, temper!

The lights on the mirror go out.

QUEEN Well, that’s that settled. Now to meet the Prince. (she goes to the dressing table and places the hand

mirror on it. She makes a final check on her appearance in the dressing table mirror and then calls

out) Come in!

Dashing enters rather uncertainly, see the Queen and bows low

DASHING You Majesty. A pleasure to meet you.

QUEEN (simpering) And you, your Highness.

DASHING (Looking slightly surprised at being addressed as ‘your Highness’) I had been told that the Princess

Snow White is beautiful, but your beauty must surely surpass hers. You are even more lovely than I had

been led to believe.

QUEEN Thank you, sir. (Aside) What did I tell you? (To Dashing) And you are right, the Princess is, I suppose,

thought beautiful by some people, if you like that sort of thing.

DASHING My master had been sent here by his father to ask for the Princess’s hand in marriage, but I’m sure that

when he see’s you……

QUEEN What do you mean, your master?

DASHING My master, Prince Charming

QUEEN Well, who are you then?

DASHING I am Sir Dashing, the Prince’s travelling companion

QUEEN Travelling companion! I don’t want to talk to you. Where’s the Prince?

DASHING I’m afraid I don’t know your Majesty. He was with me a few minutes ago and then he wandered off. I

haven’t seen him for a while.

QUEEN Oh, this is ridiculous. Muddles!

Nursey dashes on

NURSEY Who’s shouting? Oh, it’s just you, your magnificentness.

QUEEN Where’s Muddles? Oh, never mind, you’ll do. Have you seen Prince Charming wandering around the

castle? You know, young, good looking, rich, single.

NURSEY Oh, sounds marvellous. I could do with something like that.

QUEEN Well tough, he’s mine! Have you?

NURSEY As it happens, I have. I saw him chatting with Snow White in the courtyard a few minutes ago. Getting on

really well they were. (she sees the Queen’s face and realises she’s probably dropped both Snow

White and Charming in it) I'll just go and see where they are now, shall I?

QUEEN (Furious) No. I’ll go. And you (gesturing to Dashing) you can come along too.

The Queen and Dashing exit

Order a perusal copy of this script

You can either contact us to order a perusal copy and pay by cheque or you can use a credit card and immediately download a perusal copy by using the button below.

The script for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a pantomime by J.R. Black

Order a performance copy of the script