Sleeping Beauty

BURTON AMATEUR STAGE ENTERTAINERS

Present

SLEEPING BEAUTY

The announcement of a new Royal birth causes much excitement, with the opening notes of possibly the most apt and appropriate pantomime opening song ever, Prince’s Let’s Go Crazy, led by Muddles, the ever delightful Peter Bourne, had the full cast at full blast setting their stall out nicely.

Directors Lynda Freeman and Sharon Hughes weaved their spell with the talented cast bringing Alan P. Frayn’s Sleeping Beauty to The Brewhouse stage.

Good Fairy Lilac - Gemma East, opened proceedings in fine rhyme, beating Bad Witch Hazel - Callie Brandrick to it just in time. These two were well matched foes throughout proceedings.

Much trepidation from King Cactus - Matt O’Donnell and Queen Marigold - Amy Gaunt, especially of a pending Hazel curse, changing nappies, me thinks they’d best employ a nurse.

Dame/Nurse by Royal Appointment, Hettie Harpic a completely round the bend character, some great one liner interaction with the audience, delivered with much aplomb by Martin Goodall.  

Of course, evil does what evil does, Bad Witch Hazel casts her spell, on baby Rose, on coming of age she would prick her finger and perish, The King instantly appoints his Point And Needle Inspection Experts - P.A.N.T.I.E’s  originally the mailroom operatives comic duo Fetch and Carrie – Sarah Goodall and Sam Uche respectively, to safeguard the princess by ridding the Kingdom of sharp objects.  

Callie Brandrick, also managed to cast a spell or two on the production in her role as choreographer, aided and abetted by Sam Uche. Good cast movement and dance from all throughout. I really enjoyed the Yellow and Blue fairies rivalry; their facial expressions were very funny indeed.

Act II opened with Hazel and Lilac rocking out to Bon Jovi’s It’s My Life. Rose - Lilli-Mai Wardle, now grown, meets her Suitor to be, Prince Alexis - Thomas Harrison, through Hazel’s evil intervention, he leads Rose to discover a spinning wheel in a forgotten locked tower.

The sound seemed a little haphazard regarding microphones, I was on row D and heard mainly direct from stage, but I’m not sure if the mic’s were on for some individuals.

Doff of the cap to Musical Director Alex Priestley, seemingly locked in a tower for the duration, I feel they missed a trick there, was he identifying as Fiona? That potential hilarity aside, he gave his usual excellent backing to proceedings.

A really good selection of songs, it may be worth looking at key changes on some of the backing tracks to suit the various vocalists ranges for future shows.

Beautiful costumes and well-lit scenery, the finale scene in particular looked spectacular. Oh Yes it Was!

Although my tenure as NODA Regional Representative is coming to a close, I must say the prospect of bringing our grandson to see future BASE pantomimes is very much a prospect we’re looking forward to.

 

 

 

 

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