Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty is not performed often enough, mainly because the principal boy can be a very small part, although this script seeks to rectify this by bringing on the character(albeit in a different guise)in the early scenes. Therefore it was refreshing to see and in such a great venue as the Palace at Paignton.

The PPP put their all into this panto and I believe the community as a whole should be jolly pleased and indeed consider themselves fortunate to have such a dedicated team producing such wonderful productions year after year. These shows don’t just happen overnight they take a great deal of time and effort.
Muddles did a cracking job and played the role with such confidence and great timing and for such a young actor (16) shows great promise. Many years of pleasure in the amateur theatre for both himself and his audiences should follow.
Dame Dottie Dettol gave a superb performance and with such style. A warm and over-the top Dame in the time-honoured panto tradition
As for Fetch and Carrie, PPP are very lucky to have such a duo; their expressions, timing and wonderful charisma never faltered for one second, I just could not take my eyes off them, they were just super together.
King Cactus and Queen Marigold did extremely well although threw some great lines away at times but none the less good performances 
The Good Fairy came over well and I particularly enjoyed her singing and dancing.
The juniors (blue team), you could tell; were really enjoying themselves and that made it even more enjoyable for us as an audience to watch, so well done.
The Dancers were splendid and came over very well, loved the way excellent choreography by Elaine Johnson, it was not “in your face” but blended in so well with what was happening on stage.
Princess Rose had such stage presence and singing voice to match. It was a pleasure to watch a very good performance. As for Prince Alexander! I loved the way the character was portrayed. It was really different and it worked!
As for Bad Witch Hazel, she looked every inch the witch and the sound of the laugh lingers on even now. A superb performance! The chorus did very well and I could see everyone enjoying themselves. There were well chosen songs and music that complemented the show so well, Therefore congratulations to John Amery and his musicians. As always; a great sound!
A really rainy night outside became a wonderfully sunny and warm night inside so heart-warming. Thank you to all at Paignton Pantomime Productions for a truly enjoyable evening and congratulations to Iain Douglas for yet another success.

As a footnote. How sad that this company have been refused charitable status as they "only" perform pantomimes and this is not viewed among the great and good of the Charity Commission as enhancing the arts.

Pantomime is steeped in history and its traditions go back for centuries. Recent newspaper articles have announced the changes in proffesional pantomimes,with no cross gender roles, especially the Dame role (seen as non -politaclly correct it seems) How good that amateur companies are preserving panto in its traditional form for this and future generations to enjoy.Think again Charity Commissioners!
 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.