Sleeping Bewty

First impact on entry was the set from Nigel and Brenda Holmes: very professional painting and so colourful like a child’s book, excellent for setting the story, all enhanced by lighting and sound, good.

With a local script, and slightly different slant on story, lots of very local references and jokes, this Mundesley panto from Nigel Holmes was in very good hands of the production team of Pat Nearney, Paul Reynolds, Sharon Jiggins and Jean Clarke. Certainly that video of the village and inhabitants to ‘Amarello’ gave a very local feel and the first of many audience participation moments.

Once again the Norfolk Fairy (Sheila Olley) was in charge of story and action: it would not be Mundesley panto without her appearance! A lot to do and control with King and Queen and baby Princess getting ready for a christening, and all those local village fairies (Bacton, Trimingham, Paston, Knapton and Trunch), plus of course the different one from  Mundesley, giving their good wishes as gifts, and hence some nice little roles for all in this section (great for future talent).

And of course in the Nursery Nanny Knoo (Paul Reynold of amazing shape and proportions) tried to keep up the comedy lines especially working well in the second half when his partner in crime, Pat Nearney, came on with several other (than Mundesley Fairy) characters to act as a foil. Amazing how the traditional sequences of ghosts and slapstick messy cake-making always gets the squeals of excitement from the youngsters at the front.

And talking about fairies, Noffrum Roundeer Fairy from Sharon Jiggins was a really great baddie of strong character full of hate, to be booed and thwarted in her plans, and loved her small ‘mafia’ supporters.

Throughout the action the ‘different from tradition’ Prof Bumblemore (Neil Ellson) held his wizardry on stage to sort the story and tried to predict the outcome in future. A definite star of future with good timing and personality, Lottie Waller as Knud acted to the professor, and to the royal party, and to the dame’s antics, really good to watch.

The Princess Rose Victoria Ing was well cast for looks and personality and clear diction, as was Yasmine Macklin-Page as an excellent long-legged Prince Perceval, they balanced and worked well together. Just so sorry that on first night the laryngitis prevented their singing numbers which I am sure will be there by the end of the run (and knowing these two will be good, both solo and duets, such a pity for us to miss them).

Good energetic work from the chorus who obviously enjoyed everything. Liked the ‘running gag’ of the two Ladies in Blue from the previous play! And the First Responders rushing up on stage to rescue the Princess! Support for local charities of lifeboat, first responders and coastguards, all excellent and account for the enthusiasm in audiences and the full houses.

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