Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty (Pantomime)
Performed By: Nailsea Musicals
Perform at: Nailsea Scotch Horn Centre.
Written by: Tom Whalley
Directed by: Charlie Delahunty
Musical Director.Keren Arnold
Choreographer: Chrissie Powell-Thomas and Becky Mitchell
Date: 17th January 2026
Noda Rep: Mike Purnell
From the moment we arrived, the evening began on a warm note thanks to
Laura’s lovely welcome and the excellent seating. The atmosphere was set
beautifully by the lighting on the opening set, immediately drawing us into the
world of Sleeping Beauty. Nailsea Musicals have a real knack for maximising
their stage space, and once again the set design impressed with its clever
use of every inch available.
Saturday’s audience felt like a tough crowd at times, but the company rose to
the challenge. Tom Whalley’s script provided plenty of energy and flow,
though a few moments could benefit from reworking or updating.
Occasionally, the pace meant certain gags didn’t quite have time to land, and
any stumble over lines risked losing the punch of the joke. That said, there
was still much to enjoy, and the comedy carried a lively spirit throughout.
Visually, the production was a feast. Costumes dazzled with vibrant colours,
none more so than Queen Doreen’s multi-coloured ensemble, which was a
highlight in itself. Carabose looked suitably stunning in her villainous attire,
and all the principals were impeccably “suited and booted”—a real credit to
the wardrobe team.
The opening number, Wake Me Up, set the tone with infectious energy. The
choreography was sharp and inventive, using the full company to great effect
without ever overcrowding the stage. It was a blazing start that captured the
audience’s attention and showcased the group’s talent.
Above all, this was community theatre at its best—welcoming, inclusive, and
giving younger members the chance to shine and build confidence. Watching
them take their place alongside seasoned performers was a genuine
pleasure. Nailsea Musicals once again delivered a production full of heart,
colour, and community spirit.

Well done to the Hair, Make up and wardrobe team. Everyone looked very
well turned out and certainly very colourful. All props seemed pretty spot-on.
I never feel you get enough praise but you all certainly deserve it.
SOUND AND LIGHTING
The sound this year showed a clear improvement from last year, with a much
crisper quality throughout the performance. Timing was handled very well,
ensuring that voices and music blended smoothly and supported the action
on stage.
Lighting also did an excellent job, with everything feeling spot-on.
Atmospheric moments were created beautifully when needed, while the stage
was filled with a warm brightness during the larger scenes. Together the
sound and lighting teams helped elevate the production adding polish and
professionalism to the show.
SLEEPING BEAUTY (Chrissie)
This was a lovely performance. You looked beautiful on stage and made the
character feel very real and believable. Your costumes were elegant and
added to the fairytale magic and worked well with Prince Frederick and
Chester, and together created a charming partnerships that the audience
enjoyed. Overall, it was a thoughtful and well-done performance that left a
positive impression.
CHESTER THE JESTER (Kieran)
Your performance as Chester the Jester was lively and engaging throughout
the show. You brought a great energy to the stage, keeping the pace upbeat
and the audience entertained. Your rapport with the crowd was clear, most
jokes landed well, and you had a natural way of drawing people in. Chester
was certainly the heartbeat of the production adding humour and warmth that
balanced beautifully with the fairytale atmosphere.
CARABOSE (Alison)
This was a truly captivating villain, brought to life with great energy and
commanding presence. From the moment you stepped on the stage the
atmosphere shifted, your performance carried a powerful intensity that kept
the audience engaged and intrigued.
The costume was striking and perfectly suited to the role, enhancing the
characters dark and dramatic aura. Every detail added to the sense of
menace making Carabose both visually and theatrically impressive but still
with lots of fun. Well done

QUEEN DOREEN (Andy)
You brought a warmth and humorous presence to the stage, delighting the
audience with your playful delivery and engaging personality. You connected
well with the crowd, often drawing laughter and smiles that added to the
lighthearted spirit of the production.
Your colourful costumes were eye-catching and perfectly suited to the
character, adding vibrancy and charm to your performance. Well there were
occasional slight hesitations on lines, these moments never detracted from
the overall enjoyment, if anything, they added to the comedic flavour of your
portrayal.
FAIRY FORTY WINKS (Keren)
Fairy 40 winks was a delight to watch in this production of sleeping beauty.
You looked absolutely lovely on stage, bringing grace and charm to every
moment. You’re singing was both confident and enchanting adding warmth
and magic to the performance. Beyond your individual talent, you proved to
be an outstanding team player supportive, collaborative, and always in
harmony with the rest of the cast. The audience cleary adored you,
responding with genuine affection and appreciation throughout.
PRINCE FREDRICK (Becky)
You played with great energy and charm. You brought confidence and grace
to the role, with a strong stage presence that captured the audience‘s
attention. Your singing was clear and powerful, and you showed both
courage and warmth in your performance. You worked well with the cast and
gave the character a refresh, memorable touch that the audience loved.
LURGY (Richard)
Lurgy was a fantastic sidekick to Carabose , bringing plenty of humour to the
stage. Your playful energy and comic timing brought lightness to the darker
moments, making him a crowd favourite. A great performance that balanced
mischief with fun.
CHOREOGRAPHERS (Chrissie Powell-Thomas and Becky Mitchell)
Well done you two. What a busy production for you both you deserve high
praise. The choreography was imaginative and beautifully staged, creating
striking pictures that use the whole stage without ever feeling crowded. You
brought out the best in the company, drawing impressive energy and
commitment from the cast, especially in the opening number “Wake Me Up”
which set the tone for the entire show.

Your attention to shaping and detail was evident throughout, with
choreography that highlighted each performers strengths and insured
everyone contributed meaningfully. Balancing your creative vision with your
own performances showed remarkable talent and dedication, leaving the
audience thoroughly impressed.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR (Keren Arnold)
A talented lady with many strings to your bow. You deserve great credit for
the success of this production. You brought out strong, confident singing
from the lead characters and chorus, with some lovely harmonies that lifted
the performance. More than that, you created a wonderful energy throughout,
making it clear that the company’s love for singing was at the heart of the
show.
Your guidance allowed individual performers to step forward with powerful
voices, showing the depth of talent within the group. This was not only a
triumph for the production, but also a glimpse of the exciting future of Nailsea
Musicals.
DIRECTOR (Charlie Delahunty)
You certainly delivered a production full of pace and energy. Although, a few
of the jokes might have landed even better with a slightly slower delivery, the
overall show was highly impressive and a true celebration of community
theatre at its best. Your fondness for panto shone through, with a clear vision
that reached across the footlights and engaged the audience throughout.
Casting was strong and well thought out, and what stood out most, was the
remarkable teamwork across the whole company, from backstage to front of
house. This sense of unity gave the production real heart and made it a joy to
watch. It’s always a pleasure to attend Nailsea Musicals, and this production
was no exception.
Thank you all sincerely for a wonderful welcome, great seats and a fabulous
Panto enjoyed by one and all. Oh yes it was!
Kindest regards
Mike

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