SLEEPING BEAUTY

Written by a Company member Chris Baglin, this popular fairy tale was cleverly presented. The Director made full use of the available space and groupings were excellent. The author, Chris Baglin, took on the role of Scaramouch, the rhyming story teller, dressed in full Jester’s outfit, his rapport with the audience was excellent, he even played the guitar in the finale. His stagecraft experience encouraged other members of the cast and gave them confidence.

Great performance from Dave Carroll as Nanny Annie with superb  make up and countless changes of costume which the audience loved. Nice characterization from Samuel Thompson as Prince Charming.

With the change in time in the story, some characters were played by two members which worked very well in the story. Princess Briar Rose (aged 13 and aged 20) were in the capable hands of Ella Duffy and Alice Birthwright. Prince Palming and Prince Nike (Young), were energetically performed by Finn Hibbert and Sam Lawson respectively and roles of the senior Princes fell to Pete Salmon and Peter Brady, who revelled in their respective tasks. Chilling performance from Susan Thompson as Malaria (Wicked Fairy) who took every opportunity to cast her evil spells. Sally Bumford put her authorative mark on her role as Asda – Queensfairy. Her charges were well played by Emmas Evans – Scots Fairy, Charley Wiles –Cockney Fairy and Emma Winterbottom as Lite- Smallest Fairy. Steve Davies and Katie Deyes gave a royal touch to their characterizations as King Size and Queen Live. There were many other minor roles, well cast. I must congratulate the dancers, beautifully performed routines with excellent point work in some of the routines. The chorus numbers were well choreographed even though I felt the Band a tad loud for one or two of the cast, nevertheless this did not detract from performance. The show ended with the full Company joining in a brilliant ‘Reach for the Stars’ followed by ‘Jail House Rock’

Technical department and backstage crew were well on top of their tasks and the performance flowed without any pauses. Beautifully designed sets by Gill and Michael Benjamin together with eye catching costumes fully endorsed the success of this classic fairy tale brought to us by this enterprising company.

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