Sleeping Beauty

The pantomime season started with Stephen Duckham’s version of this pantomime by arrangement with NODA Limited and a lively cast told the familiar story to a charmed audience of youngsters and their elders at Eastwood Theatre. Lynne Fyfe made her pantomime debut as the charming Princess Aurora and her handsome suitor was played by Scott Clacher, making a welcome return to the stage. The young audience dutifully cowered under the threats of the evil fairy Carabosse, Caroline Graham giving an inspired and imposing interpretation of the role. Her counterpart was, of course, the Fairy Queen with Laura Wilson beautifully cast in this role. No pantomime can do without comedy and Jamie Stewart as Barney, the Jester, filled the role with aplomb, making his first appearance with EROS and in pantomime. Ian McAulay and Maureen Driscoll as King Septimus and Queen Sybil gave a little gravity to the cast (but not too much) and Mike Driscoll appeared as the elderly Lord Chamberlain. Sarah Booth continued her association in the EROS principal line-up as Nanny Norah Biscuit. Other members of the numerous cast were the Royal Suitors, the Minions, five named Fairies and, of course, the members of the Royal Court, the Court Children and the Junior Cast.

This was a grand show much enjoyed by the large number of children in the audience and the attentive adults. With such a cast and Honours Graduate Joy Stibb’s band comprising herself and five other musicians, an excellent evening’s entertainment was assured.

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