But these were no poisoned produce – they had been donated by Sainsbury’s and the Society of Growers of Top Fruit. The cast, including all seven dwarves, arrived at Castlepoint in a cavalcade of cars specially chosen to match each character. These were supplied and chauffeur-driven by the Westover Group.

We are pleased to announce that this year's fabulous family pantomime will be the classic tale of Snow White - directed by and starring CBeebies favourite Chris Jarvis as Muddles and Hi-De-Hi's Su Pollard as the Wicked Queen. Expect magic, music and fun for all ages in an enchanting production that will make your festive season one to remember!

There is also a competition to win tickets to the panto. Please click here to enter (entry closes 7th December). Plus a panto party, taking place on Saturday 19th December. Further info on the party here.

Please click here for a larger version of the Snow White promo leaflet/poster. Click here to view the issTV coverage of the Snow White press launch. There's also details on the panto launch in October from the 'Bournemouth Echo' here.

There's a great interview with Su, and Chris Jarvis at the 'This is Dorset' website. Read that here. 'Southern Daily Echo' also interviewed Su about Snow White, here.

View full details about the lights switch on event at the 'Official Guide To Bournemouth' website here.

Finally, for now, the 'Bournemouth Daily Echo' also reported on last wekend's Christmas lights switch on. View the report here. Stay tuned to Su Online throughout December for more panto updates through the festive season.

Movie star Nicholas Cage is switching on the lights in Bath and pop star Mr Hudson is throwing the switch in Blackpool.

Bournemouth has a long tradition of “starry” switch-on ceremonies, with the honours being performed over the years by such celebrities as Esther Rantzen, Buster Merryfield, Stefan Dennis and EastEnder June Brown.

This year the switch will be flicked by Hi De Hi star Su Pollard, children’s TV presenter Chris Jarvis and LazyTown character Sportacus on Sunday.

But in Poole, the recession has put paid to a “big production” switching-on ceremony altogether.

“Like last year, we just haven’t got the budget to do a switch-on that will satisfy the needs of the public,” says Richard Randall-Jones, Poole town-centre manager. We’ve been hit hard by the recession, our income is down and we’re not in a position to buy any more lights this year. It costs a lot of money for a one-off evening and you’re dependent on the weather. Our theme this year is a ‘back to basics’ Christmas.”

Despite the lack of stars, however, the town centre did mark the event earlier this month with the well-attended arrival of Santa Claus. And while the recession may have struck the town centre of Poole, there will be celebrities turning on other Christmas illuminations in the area.

Read the full article online here.

A heart-warming and festive tale

The heart-warming tale of Annie brought a festive atmosphere to audiences at The Alexandra Theatre this week.

If you are looking for a great family-friendly show ready for the Christmas season then the production of Annie in Birmingham is the one to go to.

The popular and well–loved musical brings the tale of a little orphan girl to life with classic tunes including ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’ and ‘Tomorrow’.

The professional cast included Su Pollard, from Hi-Di-Hi!, as Miss Hannigan and David McAlister, from East Enders, Brookside, Hollyoaks, as Oliver Warbucks. But the most impressive actor of the night was Lydia Tunstall who played the role of 11-year-old Annie.

She acted her part superbly capturing the cute, cheeky and lovable rebelliousness of her character with a hint of vulnerability. Her singing was also impeccable and kept the audience entertained from beginning to end.

Su Pollard added humour to the performance as the drunk and grumpy Mrs Hannigan while Simone Craddock, as Grace Farell, brought some romance.

Read the full review here.

“We love you Ms Pollard”

On arriving at The Alexandra Theatre there was a real air of excitement, it seems everybody loves Annie. Playing on the opening night to a packed house we were in for a delightful and thoroughly entertaining evening. This production starred the wonderful Su Pollard as the sloshed Miss Hannigan and even though Miss Hannigan is a “baddie” played by Pollard one can’t help somehow feel for her, she is as pitiful as she is humorous; Pollard portrays her in a comedic fashion and we are even treated to flashes of her legs and under garments receiving the appropriate response from the audience. Su Pollard has been treading the boards for over three decades now – that must be how she keeps her pins in shape.

The dashing Oliver Warbucks is played by David McAlister, he really is very dashing and although a very busy business man he warms to Annie and also to Grace Farrell much to the relief of and to great sighs of happiness from the audience. (It seems everyone loves a love story too!) The sets are impressive showing the drab and dingy interior of Miss Hannigan’s orphanage compared with the opulent, plush surroundings of the Warbuck mansion.

Read the full review here.

Su, pictured in York on Tuesday with an early birthday gift. The doggie is yet to be named! Please click on the picture for a larger version.

Hi-de-Hi! star Su Pollard is celebrating her 60th birthday in York this week and there is no hi-de-hiding from her typically excitable performance as the heavy-drinking Miss Hannigan.

You may recall Miss Pollard playing this bibulous role five years ago to the very month at the Grand Opera House, and, if anything, she has turned up the comedy button another notch in the corniest of Broadway musicals.

In twisted stockings and seen-better-days cardigan, her Miss Hannigan cradles a bottle and runs the New York City Municipal Orphanage with wild abandon and a shrill whistle. Rather than the hard-hearted, intemperate harridan of yore, she is more of an erratic figure, drunk and disorderly but comical too, and Miss Pollard is closer in style to a silent-movie comedy star, all exaggerated slapstick gestures, looking for a laugh at every turn.

Read the full review here.

Su Pollard is treading the boards at York's Grand Opera House this week in the musical Annie. She speaks to Look North about the role and her career.

Annie is a hit at Venue Cymru

So now we know who saved America and the world in the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Annie was more than a musical; it was educational and painted a picture – albeit lighthearted – of the effects of a recession similar to the one that we are currently experiencing.

It should have been made compulsory viewing for politicians and audience members converging on Venue Cymru for Question Time a couple of nights after the opening of the musical.

Little Lydia Tunstall was superb in the title role, but even she was upstaged by the cameo appearances of a dog called Danny, an award winner in Crufts and in his eighth tour of Annie.

The blend of nine kids and Annie worked perfectly, with Su Pollard interacting superbly as the inebriate orphanage manager Miss Hannigan.

The storyline could not fail to impress, and with many families in the virtually sold- out first night, it was just like a pantomime with discipline.

The heartstrings were really tugged, but in a measured, marvellous way by a superb cast sympathetic to the message of love and hope.

The result introduces a fabulous feelgood factor that is way off the scale and a tonic for anyone looking to beat off the depressing news currently being fed to us on a daily basis.

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