Skip to main content

Chester County Press

KATS presents ‘Snow White and the Magic Mirror’ this Friday and Saturday

01/14/2020 01:30PM ● By Steven Hoffman

The Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society (KATS) will present three performances of “Snow White and the Magic Mirror” this Friday, Jan. 17 (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 18 (2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) in the Kennett High School auditorium. Tickets are now available online (www.callkats.org) and can also be purchased at the door.

“Snow White and the Magic Mirror” is based on the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Snow White’s wicked and beautiful stepmother owns a magic mirror that always tells the truth. All is well until one day when the mirror declares that Snow White, now that she is all grown up, has replaced her stepmother as the most beautiful woman in all the land.

The stepmother banishes Snow White to the Wooky Wood in the hope that she will run afoul of one of the fairy tale monsters that live there.  Will Snow White survive? What happens when she stumbles upon a cottage owned by three bears (and a squatter called Goldilocks)? Can the dwarfs save her – and will Prince Valiant come good in the end?

“Snow White and the Magic Mirror” is a pantomime in the British style. There is no mime in British pantomime. None. Ever.

A pantomime in the British style combines elements of the American musical theatre with a fairy tale plot, vaudeville skits, and terrible jokes. It is a show for the entire family, including the parents. There is something for everyone: a young hero (the principal boy), played by a girl, a self-assured woman (the Dame) played by a man, and a young heroine (the principal girl) played by a girl. Add to that an assortment of villains, comics, and henchpersons and you have a basic pantomime plot.

“Snow White and the Magic Mirror” was written by Gary Smith and is directed by Caroline Smith. Gary and Caroline were two of the original founders of KATS.

The show is co-directed by Nancy McDonald, the Stage Director is Kecia Crowl. The songs have been arranged by Marilee and Phil Calabrese, who have been with KATS since the very beginning.

KATS was founded in 2001 by a group of friends in Kennett Square. In the original show, there were 19 cast members, including the chorus. In the current show, there is a cast of almost 50, including the chorus, and a support group of costumiers, technicians, stage crew, administrators, musicians, sales personnel, make-up artists, and front of house staff that will exceed 100 on the night. KATS has grown thanks to community support. Snow White will be the 19th annual pantomime in the British style.