Snow White’s Privilege at Hulme Playhouse Theatre

This Christmas the historic Playhouse Theatre in Hulme, once the renowned home of the BBC, will throw open its doors and welcome audiences for its first theatre show in 25 years. Snow White’s Privilege looks to offer a scandalous alternative to panto, packed with royal rivalry, fake news and a mansplaining prince.

The grade II listed building first opened in 1902 and played host to a number of iconic big names, Nina Simone, The Beatles and Les Dawson amongst them. Sadly, there were issues around funding and planning which resulted in the Theatre’s closure in 1997. In 2018 the Theatre was relaunched as a community arts centre by NIAMOS, and this month celebrates a major milestone in staging its first theatre show in over two decades.

Snow White’s Privilege is a modern, Mancunian take on the classic fairy-tale.

Featuring a local community cast as well as local drag queen Lill and some of Manchester’s finest alternative talent, Snow White’s Privilege brims with power and spirit, shining a light on marginalised voices in our society and those that are often unheard in festive productions.

Margo Riley, NIAMOS Community Producer, said, “Theatre is made around hard-hitting ideas however it usually doesn’t involve performers directly affected by the issues and themes. We want to change that and showcase talent and creativity birthed in these communities with a mixture of home-grown and professional artists.”

Witty and fearless, this production points a finger at privilege.

Written by local writer Elmi Ali,​ Snow White’s Privilege is a modern, Mancunian take on the classic fairy-tale. Set in the years following Snow White’s happily ever after, the show pits the privileged and bored princess against the evil queen. In a time of ever-widening divides between the many and the privileged few, this production is a refreshing appeal to turn the status quo on its head. Witty and fearless, this production points a finger at privilege and offers power to those that have none.