Sleeping Beauty

My first Pantomime visit as an area rep set a high standard. I was welcomed warmly and entertained royally as I settled down to enjoy my evening.

The show opened with an introduction by the Lilac Fairy (Emma Ferguson) I was impressed by her excellent diction and projection. She set the scene for the story and continued to do so throughout the production. We then met the chorus who started the singing with an old standard ‘On a Wonderful Day Like Today’. The singing and dancing were polished and the smiles were warm. They maintained this with every musical number.

The comic duo of the Dame Nanny Cranny (Brian Mathieson) and Pickles (Harrison Cairney) played the audience with confidence and style. I especially enjoyed the song sheet at the end. The King (Ross Robertson) and the Queen (Ali Niven) were well suited to their roles. A highlight of the production was their dance routine in Act 2, it had the audience in stiches.

The excellent singing of Beauty (Becca Mathieson) and Prince Michael (Alix Morland) proved they were well matched as the romantic leads. Their romance was almost foiled by the villain of the story, Carabolic, played in a wonderfully camp manner by Millar Young who sneered and taunted the audience in suitable panto fashion.

Mention must be given to the input from the Gold and Silver Fairies (Kirsty Denoon, Eva Hutcheon) and Mini Pickles (Campbell Waddell). Well done!

The clever use of projections, lighting effects, pyrotechnics and set gave distinction to the production. The sound and music were in harmony with the story and venue.

The whole was a well organised event enjoyed by all. I know this is enhanced by the backstage and front of house helpers. Thanks again for my welcome and I look forward to visiting Brechin again soon.

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