Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty - A pantomime by Tracey Rogers

As usual with this Society the pressure was on to transform the hall into a suitable performance space, get the set up, lights rigged, sound systems in place , and hopefully squeeze in a couple of rehearsals , all in just a few days and in time for opening night! They certainly pulled out all the stops again this year, and created an impressive set, it is such a shame that the Hall is only available for three performances. The stage was well set and ready for action, with an impressive Castle Wall SR and an attractive Woodland Scene SL, as the packed house settled down with eager anticipation. This was a slightly untraditional script but still sparkled with “one-liners”, and the expected corny jokes, and was a perfect choice for this group with plenty of roles, giving everyone the opportunity to take part. The conventional story was followed to a degree, but with some extra touches, and characters adding to the fun! Two “good fairies”, instead of one and two “baddies”, Sir More Dread, and Sir Less Dread who aged superbly later on, in addition to the “bad fairy” made for plenty of audience participation. The director kept the action moving along and made good use of the space available. With a large cast and limited access, exits and entrances can be a problem, but using a ramp down into the hall and the entrance doors was a clever plan, and ensured continuity. Several chorus numbers, like Once a Year Day were used to clear the stage, and this worked well. There were some fun performances, Gerald the inept Herald with a speech impediment, and the motley crew of Knights, particularly Sir Silent, lost for words but whose expressions said it all!  Their Majesties were suitably regal, the King had great stage presence and seemed to cast his eagle eye over all the audience, although it did seem rather strange when the poor Queen had to roll up her own carpet! Robin the Jester was warmly played, and his gentle “up North” brogue brought an endearing dimension to the role. Taking centre stage and almost stealing the show was Cecelia the Nurse! This was a confident performance from an actor who certainly knew how to work an audience, but who still came across as very much part of the team, his rendition of I’ve Got a Hive Full of Honey was just delightful! The Prince and Princess made a handsome couple, and there was a particularly lovely moment between them in the Castle. The Prince’s solo number On My Own was very well performed, especially coming when it did immediately after an energetic, and well-choreographed, torch-lit chase sequence, to the strains of Bohemian Rhapsody!  Careful attention had been given to the costumes, the individual “fairy-lights” on the fairy wings was a nice touch, and the Princess’s dress for the finale was gorgeous.  It did seem a very quick passage of time when suddenly the Princess was all grown up, and the scene when she pricked her finger was difficult as when she fell to the floor she was unfortunately masked by a speaker - there was probably no space in the wings for a comfortable chaise!  The spinning-wheel however was very smart with an authentic squeak as the wheel turned, and the very pink pram for the baby was impressive! Stage management were in evidence at times when perhaps cast members could have been used, and the creeping and descending greenery on the castle walls while a good idea, proved a tad temperamental at this performance! Small points in what was overall a most entertaining production, and where the enjoyment of the cast certainly embraced the audience. Yes this was a script slightly different from the norm, and the introduction of a magic sword and a fire- breathing dragon was interesting - but what a dragon – simply spectacular – well done!

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