Sleeping Beauty

Melanie Sacre’s Fairy Queen was beautifully conceived. Word perfect and characterful from start to finish!  So well drawn as a benevolent cross between Ann Widecombe and Angela Langsbury – and the wig worked beautifully. A wonderful first impression and faultless throughout. I liked her confidence.

Darren Simpson made a lasting impression as a Princess Aurora’s Nurse. His characterisation filled the stage with his presence, discarded clothing, and ample bosoms! Added praise for organising your own costume – particularly loved the shoes!

Russell Sutton as King Fisher, the love interest for the Nurse, was confident with his one liners.. Well done for being on the ball almost every time ‘Fishy’ was bellowed out. I can’t separate Christy Hinchcliffe’s Pinch, and James Roberts’ Punch, the two baddies with good hearts. They were the dream double act.  What a pleasure to see this gentle, sweet but smart pairing working so well together. Funny, silly and confident – leaving an aftertaste of Peter Kay’s Car Share with a pinch of Laurel and Hardy. Great partnership.

Andy Griffiths as King Basil was confident and assured.  An excellent actor that had a twinkle in his eye. I must give a mention to the ‘Throne’ - a dream machine. ‘Smooth’ in every sense of the word – and the lights!  An excellent set of wheels!

Justine Sewell as Queen Bee was clearly royalty on stage. As was true of all her fellow actors, she was word perfect and a perfect fit in the role of Princess Aurora’s mother. Well, well Carabosse – Cheryl Mumford – don’t be offended if I don’t want to meet you on a dark night! Excellent as the wicked witch that ‘did for’ sweet Aurora.  Accomplished as wickedly frightening and wickedly funny with her ad libs with the audience. Great job!! Another pairing that I can’t separate were Clare Snashall’s Dilly and Emma Thomas’s Dally.– giggling, flirting, and shrieking on cue. You have a real sense of fun and silliness (Oh, yes - and Emma – a very good looking programme.) Jasper Price as Prince Florizel – well Jasper what a breath of fresh air!  You are not the usual Panto Prince and certainly had a very individual approach to the part. Oh yes – and your hair deserves a special mention. Katie Nicholls as Princess Aurora was beautiful, could really sing and carried her part with dignity and loveliness. I must mention Rachel Bowell, the sweetly smiling Fairy Sunshine and of course the Courtiers, Wendy Snelgrove, David Bushell, Theresa Rowlstone, Trevor Mumford, Eunice Long, and Sean Drury.  All stayed beautifully in character throughout and were in very good voice the whole evening.  

The Stage Team and Crew, Cheryl Mumford’s Choreography was planned and executed with precision. Well done everyone great to see the miles of smiles and enthusiastic musicality. Caroline Jordan, in charge of costumes, assembled a wonderful collection. Colourful, and on ‘song’. Excellent, your eye for detail really paid off.  Ellen Simmons: the make-up was excellent – particularly for the remarkable Caraboose and the OTT Neuralgia. Peter Harrington Production Designer and Claire Bushell, his Assistant, clearly thought through the comings and goings, and had everything in the right place. Set Construction and Painters - Wow! What a magnificent outcome from all your hard work.  Stage Manager Phil Jordan and team managed a wonderful and complex array of scenery. It must have been a nightmare to manoeuvre on occasions. Immense, inventive, beautiful and atmospheric. The forest scenery was awesome! The Nurse’s bedroom – the various tricks were entertaining – and the Deer’s Head was great fun.  The only thing that distracted me was the garden scene with the black curtain at the back – something that distracted from the beautifully dressed stage.

Zoe Marksford, Musical Director, and Ian Harris, Music, gave us a good range of songs.  From sweet love songs, feel good ‘Reach for the Stars' to rip roaring rock. Your hard work certainly paid dividends. Everyone sang their hearts out. My favourite was Dirty Deeds. It certainly set the audience alight and was so well performed by the ‘baddies’. Nigel Medhurst ‘Sound’ Just the right sound levels and everyone was clearly audible. Personal mikes paid dividends. Lighting - Congratulation to Chris Hatton and your team.  Excellent – and particularly the lighting and effects at the close of the show were truly magnificent and celebratory! Lesley Cookman, Writer and Director: you have penned a super ‘wide awake’ Panto and your cast and crew team rewarded you with a memorable performance that will be no doubt be repeated throughout the run.  You gave us a thoroughly enjoyable evening of excellent entertainment for all the family.  Thank you Lindley Players. You ‘reached for the stars’ – you touched them and you all shone brightly.

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