Sleeping Beauty

A well supported and enjoyable traditional ‘family’ pantomime from the Limelight Scripts stable, well cast by Director Megan Abbott with talents used to the best advantage. A large cast on stage with all those youngsters presumably from Watlington Young Players.  Nice set very useable and some excellent costumes to please the eye. Singing and dancing came over in full force, obviously rehearsed well, and those youngsters particularly full of energy.

The three Fairies, (Laura May, Philly Macfarlane, Megan Daughtery), were full of personality and good movers and vocals, and they set up the story in style and introduced us to the Palace and offered their gifts at the christening.

King (Hugh Pearce) and Queen (Jenny Lewis) were obviously first proud and then worried for their daughter, a good couple, and supported by Chamberlain Anthony Culy.

 Steve Brooks as Sniffles the jester worked hard at the comedy and in involvement with the audience, lots of encouragement for interaction and singing. He was a good foil for the dame, Nursey from Richard Ellis who, of course, had most of the comedy lines and timing, a nice relaxed presentation with rapport encouraging and joining the audience throughout and this team worked well.

Another comedy team in Duck and Dive, Ian Halliday and Beccy Pooley had some very funny moments, good comedy lines for their situations, certainly impossible for them to escape our wicked fairy and her wishes, this couple had roles that really kept the smiles coming in their hapless escapades.

And to the wicked fairy, Poison Ivy from Amy Power and she was masterful and projected excellently in her malevolence, what a great characterisation to be proud of as she dominated the stage at every appearance, certainly a role to remember in her wickedness.

In the title role, Madison Cole as Aurora had a delightful style and presence, leading the big ensemble dance routines with energy, singing in such powerful vocals for someone of small stature, she was the leading lady and displayed her talents to the full. Matched well by her Prince, Dominic King, who rescued her, they made a good couple.

And one should not forget the minor principals who creep into this story for some reason, all contributed well to the action. As did the chorus of adults and many youngsters working the stage with their energy and movement. And the finale definitely showed how much the company enjoyed the whole experience.

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