Sleeping Beauty

This was my first visit to your production thank you for your warm welcome. What a lucky group you are to fantastic local support and the great resource of a village hall to perform in.

It was really interesting to read through the programme before the performance, acquaint myself with the players and to be informed about the history of the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ story.

The front of the hall was sectioned off with curtains and stage blocks set at two levels with a forest of trees set on stage right, a signpost to St Wenn and Withiel and a small Christmas tree. On the flat on the opposite side was the prompt and guitarist with a small amp and a bass drum which was well used to emphasis the various punchlines during the performance.  The raked seating was opposite the stage with the technicians set the top layer who controlled the lighting which was set on a single truss with both spotlights and Fresnel’s and taped sound tracks.

The lighting was well controlled and enhanced the scenes during the show although at a couple of points the actors that were playing on the flat, were in darkness. The taped music was varied and set at the correct volume and the live music added another level and aided the cast in the pantomime song although I was a little puzzled when the guitarist sang with Maleficent who had a powerful voice.

The scenery was cleverly constructed and the Throne Room was lavishly decorated with a central fireplace, pennants and family portraits. The attic room was suitably dingy with grey walls, the Tremendous woods were decorated with trees and lights and the farm scene was appropriately rural. The props were well thought out and used correctly by the players.

The playing area was accessed by those on stage from wings both left and right and by the side of the curtain stage left and the back of the hall through the audience. Some exits and entrances were taken by the side door to the entrance area which was a little distracting because of the bright light I did wonder if it was possible to either use less lighting in the hall or a curtain over the door.

The costumes were well fitting, colourful and varied. I especially liked the Queen’s panniers although as a wardrobe mistress I would have liked to have taken a tuck in the front hem to even the hem up. The fairies all had individual touches and the gook and apron added a Cornish touch to the little servant. Maleficent was dressed as expected with her curved horns and Diablo the crow was splendidly attired. It was great to see that a variety of headwear had been added to finish the costumes off.

The script was well written with many interesting character names and lots of local touches that lead the story along, the audience thoroughly enjoyed joining in with the ‘Down Mullion Way’ every time it was mentioned by an actor. Sometimes changing the lyrics of well-known songs confuses the audience when they attempt to sing along but the lyrics in your songs added to the text. I felt the act one travelled along at a good pace with lots of purposeful action but act two was delivered at a slower speed with some players losing lines although it didn’t detract much from the enjoyment.

The singing was tuneful with a wide choice of music chosen and your choreographer created a variety of different dance routines which were well delivered by the cast.

The show opened in the castle where we met a resplendently attired Queen Ethel and her lady in waiting Brenda and various servants. The Queen delivered her lines clearly with feeling, she demonstrated her frustration with her husband not bowing to her demands. Lady Brenda showed a caring attitude to the Queen throughout always ready to back her up.

The Queen’s nemesis, her mother-in-law the Dowager Vile was next to speak and what a wonderful portrayal of a traditional pantomime dame. Good strong delivery of the text and lyrics and a great stage presence. We were under no illusions who thought they were in charge.

King Pillock, the Dowager’s little boy! Arrived with three members of his court just from rugby practice. He depicted the slightly distracted king well. He appeared a little scared of his wife but always had his mother to back him up. It was great to see the change in his character, as I expect was the Queen, after he woke up in the second half.

The Bookmaker looked good and kept the king up to date with his interests.

It was now time for us to meet Nurse Ratched and baby Loveday and what a baby. She certainly had the looks of her father. The nurse was dressed as expected in green and white with an apron, mop cap and we were to see her frilly knickers later in the show. Her text was clearly delivered as she looked after her charge.

Your comedy pair Boom and Bust were then introduced they bounced off each other delivering great jokes, thigh slaps and attempts to follow orders given to them during the performance.

The good fairies arrived from the back of the hall and spoke with feeling in unison which is a very difficult art to master. They had all been dressed in slightly different outfits with elf ears and performed a brilliant ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’ techno dance. They all had very different characters. Fairy Acorn was obviously in charge and spoke with such authority, she had great stage presence and I can see her moving on to bigger parts. We could hear every word that Fairy Hazel delivered; she created a believable character. Fairy Cobnut might have been the smallest member of the group but she definitely had stage presence, she spoke clearly and got her tongue round some difficult words. What to say about the last member of the troupe Fairy Conkers! A wonderful depiction of an adult within a children’s group. Totally over the top and dippy.

Princess Loveday’s christening was certainly an important event in the area with all the dignitaries invited to attend. The minister to conduct the ceremony, the only lady vicar in the area was dressed in a way I’ve never seen one dressed before. She and Lady Ossis appeared to try to use their feminine wiles to ensure the king noticed them. The major was resplendent in his uniform with pith helmet and staff and was called upon to split up fights between the queen and her mother-in-law. All those acting within the scene did a grand job with lots of moving around and conversations well delivered.

These proceedings were then rudely interrupted during the bestowing of gifts from the fairies by the appearance of the evil Maleficent and Diablo her cantankerous crow. Both these characters were played with aplomb. They changed the atmosphere on the stage and an evil presence overtook the celebrations as Maleficent gave Princess Loveday her gift. Luckily scatty Fairy Conkers with the help of the other fairies was able to make adjustments to the evil curse.

The story then jumps nearly 16 years and preparations were in hand to celebrate the Princesses birthday. We are introduced to a grown-up Loveday and her loyal dog Bone. Loveday certainly performed and looked like a princess. She had created a kind, believable character who obviously enjoyed dancing rather than singing and her ballet number was beautifully danced. She inevitably decided to visit the west wing of the castle where she met Mrs Macbin and her granddaughter Daphne aka Maleficent and Diablo, pricked her finger and fell asleep with the other inhabitants of the castle. The camouflage net rising up on the front of the was an inspired way to show the forest growing up after the princess went to sleep.

Time had moved on during the interval and the task of persuading Prince Tremble Tremendous to kiss Princess Loveday and raising the curse had been given to Boom, Bust and Dowager Vile who was sporting a wonderful swan hat.

The Tremendous family consisted of Lord Trevor who spoke clearly and would burst tunefully into song at the drop of a hat his wife Lady Treehouse who displayed a measured, quiet persona, Prince Tremble who had a happy demeanour, delivered his lines with precision, sang well and was into conservation and nature and his stroppy sister Princess Trevone who made her feelings felt at every opportunity. The prince agreed to take on the task but he had to face a panel brought together by the Dowager, who was against the match, Major Tom and Kay Tring during this discussion the sentence ‘we need Ipswich Town not Plymouth Argyle’ was uttered.

A deal was struck and all the members of the cast made their way back to the castle to waken the princess the problem being that Maleficent and Diablo were waiting and tried to scupper them but the prince’s charming, smiley manner and kindly ways was able to charm the crow and therefore overpower the evil queen.

The performance finished with a kiss which awakened all the citizens and a colourful finale ensued.

It was a pleasure to be invited to watch your village pantomime and see your company working together on the stage. I would like to congratulate your whole team because without those behind the scenes those who chose to perform would not be able to. Thank you all for an entertaining evening’s performance.

Disclaimer 

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

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  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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