Sleeping Beauty

The traditional fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty is always a story of good versus bad and this year's pantomime from the talented cast of Birmingham Youth Theatre proved to the appreciative audience that true love always does conquer all.

The Royal Royal Throne room was the setting for the full company to perform an energetic version of ‘Happy’ and celebrate with Princess Aurora who was played with confidence by Livvy Owen. I must add Livvy gave a very characterful performance throughout with light and shade in her dialogue and shaded her beautiful singing in one of my favourite musical numbers ‘Another Love’ and also when duetting with Luke Griffiths as Prince Michael, ‘Someone Like You ‘ and ‘A Thousand Years’ were really wonderful. Handsome Luke played his role with such charm and charisma, no one could doubt he would be Auroras one true love.

Gethin Randerson and Kitty Smart played King Septimus 17th and Queen Sybil 6th, their pairing made even more amusing by their hight difference, it was clear from the start who wore the trousers in that relationship, and it wasn’t The King.

Traditionally every Panto has a dame and we were introduced to Nanny Nora played with much fun by Harrison Doherty, I would like to add comment regarding the costumes worn by all the cast.BYT always wear lovely costumes and it really helps the cast support their characterisations  but I feel this time those in wardrobe deserve a special mention as they were all fabulous, none more so than those of Evil Carabosse and her Raven played by Eva Phelan and Megan Allsop respectively.There was no mistaking the loud boos and hisses from the audience on the pairs every entrance and exit, Squark!I loved ‘I Put a Spell On You’.On the flip side of the evilness we were introduced to all those who were to bestow various gifts to Aurora.The Fairy Queen was played by Daisy Wright accompanied by Fairy Moonbeam-Bea Roberts, Fairy Sunlight-Sophie Terry, and Fairy Stardust-Lucie Holcroft. I really liked the scene where some of the visitors were from different parts of the world and gave somewhat a alternative presents, we met Hans -Andrew Morrison, Bruce -Luke Holcroft and Lance-Edgar Shirley their country of origin easily identified by yet more great costumes.With such a large cast I could go on and on listing names but I couldn’t finish putting my thoughts to print without mentioning Barney The Court Jester played by David Morrison, David ensured the production moved along at pace and his likeable character shone through.Everyone had their part to play the Dancers were super , the members of the court looked splendid and the Spooks ,Rats, Bats and beast of the forest were menacing.

This was a well-cast production and Kennedys energetic choreography enabled the cast to shine. I think for me it was the superb choice of musical numbers by Chris and Vivienne that set this pantomime above the rest on this occasion. The finale ‘Walking on Sunshine’ ensuring the audience left the theatre on a high.

Congratulations to all concerned you should be very proud, as the saying goes “You are only as good as your last production” Sleeping Beauty has set a high standard so very well done.  

Thank you for the invitation and your hospitality once again.

Joyce

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