SLEEPING BEAUTY

Sutton Green Hut Theatre Companys “Sleeping Beauty” was once again my first panto of the year, (oh yes it was!) and it made a great start to the 2023 festive season.  It was lovely to see the full audience packed into Sutton’s Village Hall.

This was the traditional story of Sleeping Beauty, who falls under the spell of mighty sorceress who puts a curse on her from birth until her 16th birthday.

This cleverly written family panto (by David Knights and Philip Smith) had all the necessary elements of traditional panto – oh yes it did!

Emma Howard was a delightful Beauty.  She had such clarity in all her diction and a beautiful singing voice.  Emma-Jayne Jennings as Ru (Prince Rupert) – the dashing hero - was fabulous as principal boy and delivered her musical numbers and dance routines with expertise and precision.  The duets with Beauty were gorgeous – their voices blended so beautifully.

Philip Smith as Dame Thisbe Grater did a brilliant job of bringing the humour to the stage.  Along with his sidekick Sgt Cheesparer, played by Artie Firth, they both had great comic timing.  The audience didn’t need any encouragement when the “banter” started to flow – and it was so good to see some good old “slapstick” comedy in there in the form of baking the cake for Beauty’s 16th birthday!  Very funny and well delivered!

The formidable “baddy” trio – the Witch, played devilishly evil by Alison Waters, assisted by Nauseanna and Horidatia, expertly played by Katrina Knights & Kelly Smith (who had brilliantly stepped into this part at very short notice and did a superb job in performance after only 3 rehearsals!) brough the “baddy” side out in every true sense of the word – so much boo-ing and hissing from the audience, along with lots of laughs as Nauseanna lived her life through old TV adverts!  What a great trip down memory lane for some of us!!!!  This trio gave powerful performances, great characterisations and what fabulous costumes!

Kevin Stevenson-Fitton worked his magic as the narrator of the piece –great story telling by the humble palace gardener.  Such an integral character, but never once detracted from the action on stage.

John Cahill and Cat Wike played the regal King and Queen majestically – both had clear and strong diction and played great characters, regal as King and Queen but also showing their softer side as Beauty’s mum and dad.

Accompanied by a whole host of Guards, portraits (who came to life), Courtiers and a loveable group of children– who were all well drilled in both song and dance - the whole company gave really strong performances, with some very funny “laugh out loud” lines delivered with great comic timing – particularly by those young children!

There was a really great choice of musical numbers, cleverly chosen to help with the storytelling.  They were all performed to backing tracks, which helped everyone sing out loud and clear. 

The set and backcloths were simple and effective, so no long pauses for scene changes.  Lighting and sound (including sound effects) was good, and costumes were excellent.  So colourful and vibrant – it really cheered up the dreary weather outside!

Congratulations to Bryan Blackie and Doreen Smith as directors, Emma-Jayne Jennings as choreographer and David Knights as MD.  It was so lovely to be back watching panto for the final time as your NODA rep.  As always, you have done Sutton proud.  The village is very lucky to have such a community feel Theatre Company at its core!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.