Sleeping Beauty

My thanks to Cowdenbeath Community Theatre Group for an invitation to visit another colourful and enjoyable local pantomime.

From the very top of the show, the small in number, young, but very enthusiastic chorus set the pace for an afternoon of fun, on a damp December Saturday. The chorus, like the principals, were well costumed, which added to the already bright and well-chosen elements of set.

This year I was interested to see how a new Director (Lynsey Combe) and Musical Director (Bryan McCaffrey) would handle the cast – and I wasn’t disappointed! This Cowdenbeath group never seem to fail in enthusiasm for their show, which spreads to the whole cast – and then on to the audience!

So to the principals:  Niamh Logic presented us with a lovely Sleeping Beauty, and together with Principal Boy (Stacy Ramsay) gave us some lovely solos and duets. The King & Queen (Gary Duncan & Sandra Ferguson) were well in character throughout, and both worked superbly together. The baddie, Carabosse played by Louise Gibson – making each appearance behind a jet of green smoke – gave us a nice contrast between herself and the good fairies. I’m not quite sure why she didn’t get more “boos” and hisses from the younger members of the audience (or indeed the older ones!), it wasn’t for lack of trying! – perhaps it was just a very well behaved audience that afternoon! Then we have the dame, Nanny Fanny Cranny, played in his own inimitable style  by Alex Keatings. Alex manages to get the youngsters in the audience on his side very quickly and delights them throughout, appearing, as always, in a selection of outrageous costumes. Finally, we have the Minstrel (Stacey Donaldson) and Bumble (Jasmin Lowe) both of whom played excellent characters and added in no small way to a very enjoyable family pantomime (my only panto this year!).  Lighting was appropriate and sound was well operated – the young chorus always being completely audible above the sizeable band.

Many thanks again for your invite – well done!

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