Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty is one of the great, classic pantomimes. Molesey Musical Theatre presented a sparkling, new version written by the director, James Fortune. 

The Cecil Hepworth Playhouse has a venerable history, being the last building left from Walton (Film) Studios. It has an attractive auditorium and a comfortable bar. We joined a good-sized and responsive audience. Great welcome and hospitality from Hilary Young and Cathy Cox. We received a smart programme; with plenty of detail and excellent colour photographs. I particularly liked having the brief description of the plot. It helps an audience who are seeing a show for the first time.

MMT had used projections instead of painted curtains for their backdrops. These were crisp and colourful. Backdrops and lighting were well presented by Nigel Tyler, with Andrew Midson efficiently wielding the follow-spot. Good, simple sets were used and changes were neatly performed. The props were co-ordinated by Rita Anderson. They were attractive and were used smoothly …particularly in the traditional panto routines.

The music was a combination of excellent, live playing by Elizabeth Cooper, and her combo, and recordings. Her arrangements were very good. The sound mixing was generally good, although one or two of the recordings did challenge the singers. Sound effects were well presented.

The charming little Aquarius Performers were choreographed by Claire Leonard. Dancing by the big people at the back was well co-ordinated and attractive.

Good (sometimes frightening) makeup was lavishly applied. There was a fine selection of fun and appropriate costumes from Joan Cannell and Rita. I particularly admired Igor’s outfit; but needed to have the pigs pointed out to me.

This was a very traditional pantomime that encouraged bags of audience participation. Tim O’Shea, as Chester the Jester, worked hard and well throughout to wind up the audience. There was the spooky scene, where the actors are frightened off one by one…until Nanny (Kevin King) turns the tables and frightens off the ghosts. And ACT II commenced with the classic wallpapering routine. This was very well executed by Kevin and Tim, with good use of props. In any other genre, these routines would seem hackneyed and stale; but, for pantomime, they are old friends.

The Good Fairies introduced the show and themselves: Flit, the bossy one (played by Victoria O’Mahoney); Twit, the happy fairy (Lu Mulligan) and Git, who “couldn’t be ars’ed” (JJ Cogan). They contrasted well and fought the good fight.

More of the cast and chorus attended the Christening. Iain Cannell’s fine, ringing tones received the first of the audience sympathy, as the Herald that no-one would listen to. Paul Cox was very commanding as King Caractacus; and did some extravagant cloak-twirling. And Kevin King made a Great Dame, as Nanny Fanny. Very good characterisation here. Belladonna (Hannah Kitchener) and her minion, Igor (Valerie Abercrombie), were the consummate baddies. They sang well, camped it up beautifully and gave fun ad-libs…and we booed them. But where was the Queen ? She didn’t appear elsewhere in the show, either. Some interesting back-story there, hmmm ?

Elise Stannard, as Princess Beauty, was stunning. Her singing of All I ask of You (solo !) was lovely. She had good stage presence and comic timing. She was partnered by Heike Heath as a succession of Prince Gordons…and she fell in love with all of them. Heike was a fine Principal Boy(s)…playing it straight, with bags of irony…and a fun sequence fighting the Creepers.

The Bar scene was very enjoyable. The chorus were enthusiastic and Lyn Menzies dominated the action, as the Beer Wench…what a wonderful concept…ticks so many boxes. But much of the playing was upstage, right against the screen; so the cast was painted by the projection. Some other scenes also suffered from this. Get your people further downstage & light them strongly; and you can reduce this problem.

Moo the Cow, the Pigs and the Ghosts all played their part in this enjoyable pantomime.

Thank you James, your cast and your crew for inviting us to your fun production. 

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