Sleeping Beauty

This show started off the pantomime season in Johnstone in style for President Iain Usher and the members of JPTG. Written by Roy McGregor and having the benefit of a strong and experienced cast, the evening was assured of an enthusiastic response from the youngsters and adults present. The intimacy of the new theatre added to the excitement as the show started. There are many versions of all pantomimes but always assured are the established characters and the “nicking” of good tunes from almost anywhere.
Some of the casting was inspired and hilarious. For instance, Craig Inglis as Nurse Nelly! And Craig and Ross White as Mayhem and Havoc, which names they encapsulated in their antics. More dignified was Ian Usher as The King, presenting a truly mature performance in this his thirtieth show with JPTG (but, I should add hastily, only his twenty-fifth year with the Group). Jennifer Scott played a very attractive Princess Aurora with the diminutive and baby Imogen Patrick making her first appearance on stage as Baby Princess Aurora. Adam Hyslop played the handsome Prince Harry (JPTG’s version!) but there had to be trouble afoot. The treacherous evil witch Carabosse (Tracey Howie) was lurking about in various shades of green (excellent make-up) and at first, the attractive Fairy Queen (Jillian McCall) and Fairy Light (Lorna Kennedy) were no match for her. And where was Muddles (Daniel McDonald)? I suppose all over the place as is usual with that character in pantomime! And I mustn’t forget Fairy Cake (Joanne Young) – she is small and easy to lose.
But more seriously, this was an excellent pantomime – striking the right balance of fun and laughter for the time of year with just a dash of evil to keep the youngsters on the edge of their seats.

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