Sleeping Beauty

Despite it being a very cold and snowy night, some eager folk gathered early outside the Town Hall obviously in eager anticipation of the performance to come!

Interestingly and just right for the night listed in the programme were not only a group of “Snowflakes” but also a penguin – perfect!

The Front of House personnel were smartly dressed and very welcoming. The Director explained that unfortunately they were experiencing some technical issues with the lighting that evening but would keep calm and carry on! Timely interrupted by the refrains of a mobile phone another announcement quickly followed warning of ejector seats and dire consequences much to everyone’s amusement, and quickly set the tone for the action to unfold.

Dainty trees were set DSR and DSL and a very effective, and attractive cloth mid-stage with large decoupage trees supplied the backdrop for the scenes set in the countryside around the village. A simple idea which worked perfectly.

The contrast between the wicked Carabosse and the good Fairy Fizz was well established from the outset.

In a striking costume and headdress Carabosse immediately welcomed the expected rancour from the audience and boos and hisses were encouraged right away!

In contrast Fairy Fizz was played by a much younger member of the group in a very pretty costume, and her intro “rap” number set the scene and got the audience on her side.

The King’s expression when handed the “smelly” baby was simply perfect!

There was plenty of audience participation from the outset and effective use was made of the auditorium for various exits and entrances, although one lady at the end of a row did receive a big fright when a skeleton tapped her on the shoulder in Act II!

The opening village scene to “Who Will Buy” worked well and the GIANT bags of potatoes on stage were just magnificent, serving to disguise the Dame Maris Piper’s supporters Maris’s Girls with their “potato masher” mikes – delightful!

This was a very wordy script, with all the expected corny jokes, and “oh yes you dids”,lots of “play on words” and plenty of patter, pronounced perfectly with no pausing, by practised performers proficient in the playing of pantomime! Very well done!

The story took a slightly different turn than is normal. Sleeping Beauty was an orphan having  lost her parents, the King and Queen, at an early age and would become Queen on her 18th birthday. With this day fast approaching her Aunt Carabosse plotted to “do her in” and claim the throne for herself. Of course, true love came to the rescue  in the form of Prince Istuna, in a magnificent pair of thigh hugging boots!

This of course laid the way open for “red herrings” of all kinds, as the audience was led down the path of John West, Princes Tuna fillets, and the like!

The “baking scene” was a “tour de force” and the tarpaulin spread across the stage was certainly needed, with eggs and shaving cream  flying fast and thick! What a stalwart back-stage crew!

Act I was brought to a close in a magical way with the Snowflakes and some stunning lighting effects! Beauty was tricked into pricking her finger on the expected spinning wheel although in this case a “wheel of fortune”, and of course Fairy Fizz stepped in with the proviso of a” true love kiss”.

If it was possible the action got even livelier in Act II – oh yes it did!

A well-choreographed opening chorus number, led on to the Prince’s heart rendering solo “Everything I Do  I Do it For You” , as the Dame and son Brian set off to find him to save the day. Not being very bright Brian got his wires crossed resulting in an hilarious scene as the Prince, in full voice was interrupted by the pair clad in mountain rescue gear complete with a metal detector searching for a “tin of tuna”. The Prince did exceptionally well to “manfully” battle on especially when subjected to a “pat down” from Brian!

Of course, panto is not panto without the usual ghost scene – in this case the afore mentioned skeletons! To the strains of La Bamba, Brian and Maris danced in an out of the wings each time bringing a larger addition to the action, a moustache, a cigar, a Mexican hat and eventually a giant cactus. This certainly was an “its behind you” with a difference, and the delightful skeletons played their parts beautifully throughout, though shot off into the wings quickly when they were confronted face to face with Dame Maris!

There was another impressive backdrop for the scenes in the witch’s lair, a boxing match between Beauty and Carabosse where poor Brian took the brunt of all the punches, and a fun chase scene from SL and SR.

All the principals were played sincerely, the large chorus of adults and youngsters performed with energy and enthusiasm, and all the costumes were well chosen and beautifully co-ordinated, even down to the  lining on Carabosse’s cloak!

Dame Maris did tend to wobble about at times particularly on her first entrance when perhaps she needed to stand her ground and draw the audience in, however she was an endearing and warm character, and was well received.

The Prince and Beauty made for an eye-catching and believable couple. 

Beauty was well supported by Polo the Penguin charmingly performed by a young member of the company, with lovely expressions and a wonderful “waddle”, and Timothy quietly made his mark as the “grounded” equerry to the Prince. 

The lynch pin of the production, it has to be said was “silly billy” Brian Piper! The experience of this performer, having played this role in many productions over the years simply shone through, with so much to do he didn’t really put a foot wrong unless he was meant to!

In the decidedly different and tongue twisting audience participation song, he was ably assisted by Polo and had the audience in the palm of his hand, but they would probably be quite happy never to hear “Penguins Squishing Fish in a Dish” ever again!

On occasion lines were missed as they were delivered too quickly or too quietly and in some village scenes, were directed to the chorus members upstage, who were behind the action, when perhaps they could have taken a pace or two forward.

However, overall this was a decidedly different, super show, and a lively, fun finale certainly brought the production to an end on a high – well done everyone! 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

 

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