Sleeping Beauty

The definition of a Pantomime is an entertaining performance, which involves music, topical jokes, slapstick comedy. Well, this and much, much more describes Hornsea Amateur Theatre Societies performance of Sleeping Beauty this January. This amazing group of entertainers are just the reason that pantomimes are written. I had such an entertaining few hours at this great performance that it had me smiling for the rest of the day.

 

The venue of the Floral Hall at Hornsea is a modest but a wonderful, intimate venue and has a great view of the stage at every aspect. The stage is a modest size, but the cast and crew worked well with it to  make it no obstacle at all, with the stage never looking too crowded. The back drops were excellently used to help the actors with their different locations without taking up the minimal space.

 

The singing performances were great, and all the musical numbers were well incorporated to help move the show along. The opening number of Get Loud was a fabulous choice of an opening number and really got the audience in a good mood from the start with everyone smiling and clapping along straight away. Equally I noticed the energy level of both cast and audience sore when the song Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen was sung, with a lot of children dancing in the aisles. The musical culmination of We are Family left the overall euphoric feeling of the show for everyone to take home with them. The loveliest singing performance however had to go to Maisy Wilson playing Young Princess Rose with When I Grow up. It was a beautiful performance and so relaxed.

 

Every panto needs a dame, and what a dame this show had. Nurse Hattie Harpic played by Ian Thompson was hilarious and really had a great connection to the audience even getting audience members involved in the story, which only made the entertainment grow. The Sleeping Beauty story all centred around the crazy life of Princess Rose played by Chloe Ratcliffe involving her one true love The Prince played by the equally charming Macsen Harper. These two worked so well together I do wonder if they are a couple in real life, if not I’m sure they are very close friends. Their chemistry shone out and their rendition of Love is an Open Door was so heartwarming. No princess is complete without her fairy Godmother and in this case the role went to the Lilac Fairy portrayed by  Hannah Bacon. She really helped move the story along and sometimes quite literally. The Lilac fairy  wasn’t on her own protecting the lovely princess but also had help from her gaggle of rainbow fairies consisting of Samantha Zawodny, Evie Duck, Katie Plumb, Amber Kidd, Alex Jane Tanton who each stood out for their own reason and came together wonderfully to perform Colour My World.

 

King Cactus played by Matthew Charles and Queen Marigold played by Beth Hunter played wonderful heads of the family and really kept their regal quality throughout. They also managed to grasp the ‘old married couple’ vibe and had some audience members relating to their well-executed jokes and jibes. The comic brilliance of the well named Muddles played by Phil Wilson was fabulous. If his jokes didn’t get a laugh, then they certainly got a moan of approval for their cheesiness. Similarly, the pairing of Fetch and Carrie played by Tim Drage and Tom Dubej were hilarious and these two were so good they were literally finishing each other’s sentences. I think a massive round of applause needs to go to Joe Jenney as Egor and Charlotte Royce as Bad witch Hazel who stood in at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. These two were utter perfection in their roles. They embodied their evil personas and encapsulated the true elegance of their roles. A massive round of applause you two, your characterisation is perfection.

 

The production team of this show are true geniuses and clearly understand the true brilliance of a pantomime and moulded their cast and crew to create an amazing experience for all. The performance I saw had a lot of children in attendance and I always think if a cast can hold the attention of such young minds for a full show they’ve done exceptionally  well, and Hornsea Amateur Theatre Society certainly did. A huge well done I can honestly give you no bigger praise!

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