Sleeping Beauty

This was a production where the younger element showed their talents and starred amongst the regulars.   Certainly FADLOS Kidz proved that the effort they put in was worth all the time and what an investment in the future and sustainability of the group.   The energy on stage was amazing, and how great to have such lovely youngsters in the correct principal roles.

A beautiful and giggly Fairy Light from Jemma Tree trying to establish good and right over the wicked, and cackling laugh, spell plotting and malevolence of Avril Temple’s Zendora, a wonderful role and the first time in her career for being the ‘baddy’, and so successfully: these two tried to control the plot.

An eruption on to the stage of energy and of song and remarkably slick, faster than the eye routines, by this huge chorus and some principals and minor roles, the stage just filled with a kaleidoscope of enthusiastic movement and loud music leading into the plots and subplots and comedy. It is  shame that the usual live music was replaced by backing tracks even though under control of Jo Kemp (usual MD).

Comedy was the lynchpin of this pantomime with Dame Thyme from Ben Francis being larger than life, the most amazing outfits and wigs (each one overtaking the previous appearance), the stiletto heels and accessories, all the comedy timing and style as expressed by a very experienced Dame, this could easily become the ‘Ben Francis Show’, except for the rest of the talent.

Some great fun and timing and comedy from many other roles: King Rob and Queen Bea (Rob Garrett and Becky Jefcoate) did their bit as the rather incompetent parents, Richard Tree changed his usual tack for a dazzling costumed Valet with attitude; and Jack Rabone survived all approaches from the Dame for his Felix and sustained the comedy.  Sage and Onion (Sam Sadler and Alex Chidichimo) offered no help to Zendora after their recruitment as they were indeed just too stupid to be wicked.  Salt and Pepper (Erin Tree and Kaisha Riches) managed to cope with the cake making for the special birthday with help; and Walter and his box of goodies (Theresa Clarke) provided the running gag and several funny moments with good timing.

In the title role of Princess Nightingale (and with a voice to match her name) Tilly Baron was a delight of youth and looks and well matched vocally by Phoebe Caesai as principal boy Justin Thyme.

Limelight Scripts offered a different slant on the story as it took until the penultimate scene for the prick from the spinning wheel, a fast-forward 20 seconds for the years by the Fairy, and then into the wedding. This pantomime was comedy-based all the way, offered lots of parts for all the company, and with the fast and modern music gave great opportunities for all which were grasped with both hands and offered up with enormous energy.

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