Sleeping Beauty

It's that time of year again when I can become a child again and throw myself into Pantoland! And what a way to kick off the season by seeing one of the favourite pantos of all time - 'Sleeping Beauty'!

Whitkirk Arts Guild always takes great care of the pantomime tradition and this was no exception. This time, it was Laura Wilkinson's turn at directing and what a great job she did, she made sure that the entire cast worked energetically and with enthusiasm. The writer, Matthew Maisey, had worked the story of the Sleeping Beauty and given it many modern twists, which the cast made the most of! We had a pretty Princess Aurora (Mia Rayson Regan) and her doting, regal parents (Sheila Jameson and Nick Jackson) - their performances reminded me a little of 'Blackadder'! Matthew Jackson was a revelation as Prince Brooklyn, with a debonair touch - Chester, the Jester, was given the best gags of the show, played very well by Emma Shortall. Her partner-in-humour was Brenda the Nanny, I imagine this would normally be the 'Dame' role but played to perfection by Charlotte Jackson, also responsible for the choreography, well done! We were treated to three Fairies - Starlight, Bright and Breezy (played by Rebecca Nelson, Helen Thomson and Katie Milner respectively) who added extra dimensions to the story very well. I couldn't leave out the wicked Fairy,Carrabosse, given great panache and attack by Louise Norbury-Robinson (and stunningly costumed!) and her sidekick, Spud, played with great humour by Claire Williamson. They were supported by a keen chorus, who sang and moved well.

Musical Direction was in the capable hands of Louise Norbury-Robinson - she had chosen songs, old and new, which fitted so well into the story and she got the maximum support from the entire cast in terms of delivery and power. Helen Thomson was Dance Captain, the company were well-drilled. Costumes were well presented by Claire Jackson and Laura Wilkinson and the cast's make-up was correct for the cast as they are so near to the audience. Behind the scenes, the Stage Manager, Andrew Thomson, had his usual merry band of excellent crew members - what is achieved on the small stage is amazing, so well done! The technical crew, Adam Moore and Ian Thomson, had conjured up some excellent visual effects and good sound. I loved watching the children's faces as they react to the 'business' - around me were Brownies, very well behaved until the song sheet (Time warp!) when they got so excited (and so did I!).

Congratulations to you all - and I hope you continued to get full houses for the remainder of the run! 

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