Sleeping Beauty

On arrival, was told to look at the designs for sets and costumes and thoughts for the production, quite a large noticeboard of drawings and most interesting to see along with those excellent photographs in the foyer.
 How lovely to have all those youngsters in the cast as villagers and school children and sprites and witch imps and brambles/thorns, certainly they were busy and should prove a new resource for the group in future years. Add this to a delightful 10-year-old Princess Rose (Cora St John Cooper) who was so clear of voice, so pretty. And once grown to 18 years, how amazing to find an identical looking Princess Rose (Kimberley Stevens), again clear of voice and sweet of nature, and obviously loved by all, and especially by parents the King and Queen (Brett Drabble and Kathy Matsell). And a nice performance from Prince Alexis/Alexander, Ellie Hupton, in courting and winning with a kiss.
 In the fairy kingdom, Good Fairy Lilac (Sally Elvin) had good presence and offered hope, but was no match for Bad Witch Hazel (Bella Chirodian) who dominated with evil and vocal discord and really had the dream role of the script and played to her utmost against the boos from the audience.
 The Palace Pages, Fetch and Carry (Zoe Hardman and Juliet Fulford), had fun and good timing and swift reactions, a good duo and especially quick in their postal addresses sequence which is a tongue-twister and worked well. Also in the humour stakes, Muddles (Clive Rush) had a change from backstage to set up the laugh-lines and work with audience and cast alike as a fall-guy, this worked well.
 And as Dottie Dettol, the experience shone through from Louise Casson in the clear voice, the continuity and timing and funny lines and stylish stage presence throughout. Not only interacting with all the characters on stage, but the side-line action with ‘that gent in the audience’, great.
 This was good ‘village pantomime’ and traditional in approach and style by Susan Hilton-Jowett and assistants.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.