The Sleeping Beauty

With a script written by company member Trevor Nicol this was a true community panto full of fun with plenty of local references. Special lyrics, written by company member Caroline Nicol to well-known tunes such as Timeless to Me (Hairspray), Master of the House (Les Miserables), Together (Gypsy) and Be Our Guest (Beauty and the Beast), were performed beautifully by principals and chorus alike as was the choreography. Poppy Charteris, who took on the role of Beauty with a week’s notice due to the ill health of the original actress, was delightful interacting well with Aileen Hendry’s thigh-slapping Prince Marius. Lots of laughter was engineered by Morag Barron and Hannah Nimmo as Lewis and Martin, the King’s hapless gofers and by Trevor Nicol as Dicky, Beauty’s nurse’s nephew. As usual Nicholas Nicol made an outstanding dame, Beauty’s nurse Bella Drumm, with each costume change more extravagant than the last. Lesley MacLean was believably evil as the wicked fairy Cadavera and deserved every last boo and hiss from the audience. Strong support was given by Brian Howlett (King Henry), Eileen Barr (Queen Patricia), Jason Hasson (Archbishop/ Captain Quibble), Jimmy McNaughton (Lord Chamberlain), Steve Kelly (King Philip) and Anne Bamborough, Carla Kelly and Kayleigh MacAskill (the good fairies Ronda, Allegra and Sonata respectively). Mention too must be made of Emily Girst who played Prince Marius’s faithful hound Bruno. Costumes and set were both colourful and appropriate. Well done to everyone at The Florians for another delightful pre-Christmas feast of fun.

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