Sleeping Beauty

I always look forward to coming to review KYDS youth group. You get such a warm welcome from the volunteers and the excitement of the young children and parents in the audience is very present. This group over the years has grown. The help and support they require is enormous to keep going but the fantastic volunteers, cast and crew always do the show justice.

Co Directors Olly Smith and Millie Sheldrick have again excelled with this production. With clever choreography from Grace Sheldrick, they gave a very enjoyable show with plenty of laughs, songs and repartee. A slightly more modern take of Sleeping Beauty was a great idea with the hardworking cast showing just how much they were enjoying being on stage after a long rehearsal period.

Charlie Orchard as Nanny Nightnurse was great in his pink wig and outrageous costumes. I loved his interaction with Josh the poor man who he picked on in the audience. He certainly brought energy and fun to his role.

Carabosse the evil fairy played by Olivia Thackeray delivered the evil we expect from a baddy. Dressed in black leather and green bustier her make-up was superb. You just couldn’t look away from her eyes. A great cackle and some super improvisation showed her confidence on stage. Boy she really does belt out her numbers! Well done Olivia.

Muddles (Ava Cullen) had wonderful stage presence and was full of confidence. Bubbly and funny she definitely was a great asset to the cast. She seemed very at ease on stage and I hope to see more of her in the next show.

I have to say I loved the Archbishop (James Hale) tall and slim he looked superb in his costume and played the role really well. The ballet scene with Nanny with him in a black tutu and Nanny in her fat costume was hilarious.

Evie Sheldrick as the Prince and Matilda Cullen as the Princess were a great match showing confidence on stage. Avarice, (Lola Weaver), the daughter of Carabosse had the most lovely voice and I would like to see her do more next year.

The Fairies Starlight, Moonbeam and Dust (Asia Scholey, Annie Wise & Jess Bircher) did well although I would have loved them to have slowed down a bit at the opening of the show. I guess first night nerves crept in. Once established they did then shine and brought their magic to the performance.

The Queen of Hearts (Bella Foster) and Old King Cole (Alexis Harding-Payne) were a good pairing and did justice to a medley from Moulin Rouge at the end of the first half. Definitely a toe tapping number.

Young Aurora, Arthur and Avarice (Natalia Coyle, Kai Maiden, Sophia Eastbrook) played their roles well. I did feel sorry for Kai who had lost his voice and whispered throughout. Well done for carrying on.

A lovely ensemble of young performers. It’s so nice to see some new young actors amid the older ones who hopefully will continue and grow in their forthcoming roles.

The set was simple but effective with a painted scene of outside the castle and later on the Thorny Woods appeared either side. A huge head of a dragon also added to the show. Lighting was good. I loved the green light on Carabosse every time she entered. Sound was ok. Costumes were colourful and well chosen. Props were good.

It’s good to see the technical team still together. I remember them as young performers, so to see them return each year with also backstage crew returnees, definitely makes this society a family feel affair and shows just how strong this society is.

This group are always a delight to watch and I do hope you get the chance to go along and support them. Well done everyone. Have a great Christmas!

On behalf of Victoria Carey

 

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