For all that this clearly told, familiar tale delivers - the traditional elements of high-quality, seasonal family entertainment in a glorious Victorian setting - Derek Nicholls's production somehow feels smaller and more intimate than in previous years.
Since this is not a Disney Snow White, copyright demands mean name changes. Surly replaces Grumpy, Sleepy becomes Snoozy - kids are sticklers for details and adult chaperones should beware.
Among the lead performances, May McFettridge's Nurse and Paddy Jenkins's Muddles rule the roost, so confident and comfortable in their roles that they have their home audience eating out of the palms of their sticky hands. The rather trendy dwarfs have their moments, too, though we could have done with a few more of them. And it is with an admirable sense of the absurd that Britt Ekland throws caution to the wind in taking on the Medusa-like Queen, an example that Robin Cousins's rather earnest Prince would do well to follow. Musical director Wilson Shields and the band do a fine job and the dancers perform stylishly.
At the Grand Opera House until January 20th. To book, phone Belfast 90241919