Sleeping Beauty

My first visit to Over Players and their rather splendidly well-equipped Community and Conference Centre incorporating sports, conference, social facilities and a theatre to see this year’s pantomime; a bought in script of Sleeping Beauty written by Ben Crocker directed by Hannah Whiffin. It was Hannah’s first time directing a Players Panto, quite a daunting task to take on, but what a fun evening’s entertainment she gave us.

The action takes place in the Kingdom of Woollycombe, famous for sheep and spinning wheels, it follows the basic traditional story of the evil Fairy Carabosse being somewhat upset at being left off the guest list of Princess Aurora’s Christening, subsequently cursing her to die by pricking her finger on her eighteenth birthday, but changed by Fairy Peaceful to a one hundred year sleep, to be awoken by a kiss from the handsome prince. What was unique, or least I’ve not seen before, was The Queen, Dorothy, the mother of Aurora was the panto Dame, rather than the more usual nursemaid, which is very unusual, but actually did work rather well.

The set under the Management of Grace Marshall was constructed by Andy Burrell, Alan Kenney & Ian Whitfield with some splendid artwork by Helen Foster with various scenes the main and most splendid one of which was the Throne Room of the Royal Palace.  Cleverly and almost uniquely the scenes in front of the tabs were enhanced by a couple of brilliantly painted flats on trucks pushed together to depict the setting. Great idea, not often seen.

Lighting by Andy Burrell, who was also the shows Co-Producer, was very well done and Sound by Mike Bernard and Rachel Dunbar was crystal. I didn’t really think about either at the time, which is always a sign that they both went without a hitch. Nice job! Although I did note the volume indicator on the wall which occasionally went red when the volume was particularly high. Not seen one of those before, surprisingly.

The splendid array of colourful costumes were sourced by Olive Swain, Ann Swan and Christine Turner and Props by Harry Ashby. All depicted their characters extremely well but Carbosse’s costume and Spindleshanks’ black cat outfit were particularly striking, and I loved Carabosse’s jewelled headgear.

We had a bit of treat in an excellent live quartet, calling themselves the Woollycombe Orchestra under the Musical Direction of Mike Bernard on Keyboard and Bass, Lin Hetherington On Violin, Justin Pisani on Guitar and Phil Butcher on Drums. Always a pleasure to see a panto with live music. Co-Producer Jack Stinton was also the Choreographer, giving us some basic but neat well drilled routines.

Emily Crosby was the suitably demure Princess Aurora, well matched to the tall handsome Prince Orlando, thigh-slappingly well played by Maisey Greenhow. They did a great memorable duet of ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.’ Jamie Tipple was our traditional Dame, Queen Dorothy, keeping us smiling all the way through with some great one liners and a good rapour with the audience. Chris Greenaway was the upright King Norbert. And probably everybody’s favourite part on the goodies side was Sarah Jane Sutty as Kitty, the Palace cat. Not forgetting Yasmin Sales as Billy the Royal Butler who led the Chorus in the excellent opening number ‘Suddenly I See.’

We had a whole lot of good fairies led by Helen Foster as Fairy Peaceful, who steps in to change Carabosse’s spell, Megan Hodgson as Fairy Beautiful, Jenny Slater as Fairy Graceful and Lillian Slater as Fairy Thoughful.

On the baddies side Kirsty Jackson had the best part in any panto, the chief baddie and played it to the hilt as the evil Fairy Carabosse, backed up brilliantly by Hannah Sagara as her disreputable cat with the wonderfully name of ‘Spindleshanks.’  We booed their every move! Not quite true, as we also clapped enthusiastically to their excellent versions of ‘Murder on The Dancefloor’ and Holding Out For A Hero.’

We had a great chorus of Courtiers, Servants, Zombie and Villages in Anita Pisani, Jane Rogers, Jason Smart, Neha Jamwai, Roger Hetherington, Tessa Kilvington-Shaw and T Davage. And a Junior Chorus of Villages Rats and Zombies in Emilia Sutton, Evie and Isla Cavaliero, Izzy Dadson, Jenny Slater, Kimberley Swann, Lillian Slater, Megan Hodgson and Molly White. Our Junior Chorus did a lovely little dance number called ‘Rat Lake.’

Also, a particular mention to Helen Foster for the rather splendid and very informative programme. Nicely done, deserves an entry into this year’s Programme Competition.

So well done indeed to Director Hannah Whiffin, her cast and crew on a very entertaining show. Finally, I was highly amused by how our side managed to win the community song when clearly outnumber by the rowdy lot on the other side of the aisle?!

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