In January 2016, Wexford Pantomime Society presented Snow White and the Babes in the Woods, a new and imaginative pantomime adventure that combined several beloved fairy tales into one magical story. Narrated by none other than the Brothers Grimm, the show celebrated the power of imagination by weaving together Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, the Big Bad Wolf and even the Three Little Pigs.

The story began with the Evil Queen, obsessed with remaining the fairest in the land. When her magic mirror revealed that Snow White had surpassed her in beauty, she sent her bumbling servant Cedrick to hire a huntsman to kill the young princess. Enter Horace, an out-of-work huntsman reluctantly persuaded by his domineering mother, the Widow Gillhoolie, and his childlike sister Heidi, to take on the terrible task.

Meanwhile, in the forest, other fairy-tale favourites were facing their own challenges: Hansel and Gretel abandoned in the woods, Red Riding Hood on her way to Granny’s house, and Rapunzel trapped in her tower. As Horace led Snow White to her supposed doom, the group found themselves swept into a shared adventure full of danger, humour, and unexpected friendships.

The Big Bad Wolf clashed with pigs and plotted against Red Riding Hood, while the Wicked Queen’s schemes grew ever darker. Horace, however, could not bring himself to harm Snow White and instead became her protector. Romance blossomed between them, until Prince Charming appeared to complicate matters further. By Act Two, witches, wolves, queens and villains had formed their own unholy alliance, while the heroes joined forces to rescue Rapunzel and fight for their happy endings.

Blending comedy, music, romance, and a whole cast of familiar faces, Snow White and the Babes in the Woods delighted Wexford audiences with its unique twist on classic fairy tales.

Photography by Paula Malone Carty