Think Snow White with a difference and you’ll be close. But 27 dwarves? Throw playwright, director and Hollywood actor Nasser Memarzia into the mix and you’ll realise who is responsible for the mischief being made in Banbury. Katherine MacAlister investigates Cherwell Theatre Company’s big new festive show at Banbury’s Mill.

It doesn’t take long to realise all is not as it seems in Banbury this month.

Twenty-seven dwarves aside, there is also the ‘misunderstood’ evil queen to consider, as well as the ‘vain’ and ‘self-absorbed’ Snow White vying for our attention.

First up is the evil Queen who sniffs that she’s not evil at all, just misunderstood, before cracking into a massive grin and laughing out loud. Penny Tasker, a former Cherwell College drama graduate is back as the lead role in Snow White, and with 27 dwarves to keep under control, she’s got a lot to sink her teeth into.

“Well, so many of the youth theatre wanted to join in, and were so enthusiastic, that we kept writing new parts – 27 in fact. But they are all very professional and it’s all running very smoothly. And besides seven dwarves is never enough,” Penny laughs.

The 27 dwarves range in age between 14 and 18, and therefore lack the obligatory long grey beards.

“They bring real zing and vibrancy, energy and fun to the performance,” Penny says. “It’s going to be spectacular when it opens tomorrow because it’s a really funny script, packed full of jokes and one-liners.”

Penny jumped at the chance to appear in one of Nazzer’s productions, having studied under the famous actor at Cherwell College.

“I graduated and went straight to RADA and I’ve been working for Cunard for the past year circumnavigating the globe, so it was nice to have a few months off, but even better to have something like this to come back to,” the 27 year-old explains.

“And as I’m from North Newington just up the road, all my relatives will be coming to see me. No pressure then.”

As for the Queen herself, Penny says: “I really feel for her and I do think she’s misunderstood. I’m 27 now and spend my life auditioning next to thinner, younger models, so I know just how she feels.

“And Snow White is so vain and obsessed with how beautiful she is that she deserves to eat the poisoned apple,” Penny adds, before practicing one of her theatrically evil laughs, whisking her cape around her and striding off into the distance.

Jessica Braviner has the daunting task of providing the foil to Penny’s evil Queen. So scrap the Disney all-singing and dancing version that we all know and love because Snow White is not as angelic as she would seem.

“No she’s not very typical. She’s really up herself and has an innocence and vanity that I’ve really been able to play with which brings a new comic influence to the performance,” Jessica says.

So despite a busy year, Jessica was delighted to land the part in The Mill’s big New Year production. Hailing from Sibford Gower, Jessica grew up in a theatrical family, and performed in local plays from a young age. “I’ve always been involved in the performing arts so it never really entered my mind to do anything else,” she says. “But it’s important not to take on a part with a fixed idea in your mind of how to play them because there are so many other factors to take into consideration – the script, the cast – so much can change.”

So come on then, give us a clue, is there a happy ending?

“Of course,” she grins, “It all works out for her in the end, even though she doesn’t do herself any favours. And yes, I get to wear two dresses, my poor dress and my pretty dress. So I can’t wait for tomorrow and while I’m nervous, nerves are good. They give you energy.”

* Snow White & The (Twenty) Seven Dwarfs by Cherwell Theatre Company opens at The Mill Theatre, Spiceball Park, Banbury, tomorrow and runs until Sunday, Jan 22. Call 01295 279002.