Sleeping Beauty

It is quite some time since your last production of  ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and looking back I see that some of the characters have changed names and others have been added or removed from the cast list.

I came twice to see it this time having missed most of the first act on my first visit and I’m pleased that I did.  It was a good evening’s entertainment.

In the role of Witch Hazel, Sophie Cane was super. She combined malevolence with elegance and excellent diction - wonderful! Playing the benevolent Fairy Lilac, Rachel Wells was appropriately gentle and put across the story clearly.

The most winning characters in the pantomime were Fetch and Carry who worked so well together and it was quite hard to watch anyone else when they were on stage. Well done Rob and Tom - I especially enjoyed the post-bag scene and also the school scene when Luke really made the most of the comedy in his role of Muddles. He played the same part last time and I felt then, as this time, that his character was rather overshadowed by the Yellow Pages. Nevertheless, Luke gave himself to the part and was so natural and relaxed on stage, as indeed he always is.

Neale put a lot into the role of Nurse Hettie Harpic and looked good.

King Cactus and Queen Marigold, were opposite ends of the spectrum in their delivery of the dialogue. Steve Smith speaks very slowly and Sarah Poore occasionally spoke rather quickly. Despite this they did put across the dialogue confidently.

Lily Poore also had a tendency, like most young people, to speak some of her dialogue rather hurriedly, but she was charming in the role of Princess Rose.

It’s a nice change to see a man playing the Principal Boy and Jack Jeakins acquitted himself well in the role of Prince Alexis. I would have liked to see more of his face but it wasn’t easy with such a heavy long fringe.

The Rainbow Fairies spoke their lines clearly although a couple looked a little ill at ease. You did it well girls – you can relax more!

The company of villagers gave support to the named principals and in the musical numbers the movements were well rehearsed. As usual you had a selection of mostly well-known songs in the pantomime, loved ‘Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen’ which fitted the story perfectly, and the singing was good too.

Costumes were as wonderfully colourful as always.The set was good and the technical team added greatly to the presentation of ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

Mike directed a real community pantomime with lots of amusing local references and the audience loved it.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.