The Sleeping Beauty

Ockley has a lovely village hall; the atmosphere buzzing and a friendly welcome from Alan & Martin and Sheila, a familiar face from DDOS.

Sound and Lighting were the responsibility of Alan Hardy; and they were in safe hands. Lighting was appropriate and sound was exceptionally efficient. Effects were comic and well-timed, music was of good volume (didn’t drown the singers) and the radio mics worked perfectly. So much of this is rarely the norm.

There was a basic set and simple props and furniture. Stage moves were competent, apart from one inspired piece of dithering, where someone came on with some thingamyjig, looked around wildly and then went off with it.

The costumes were colourful and attractive; and, in some cases, quite magnificent. Props were handled smoothly; and these included the miniature Princess Aurora.

Allison Connelly’s locally produced script and Martin Pratt’s direction were very inclusive…nearly the whole village seemed to be onboard. Different characters, such as Fairies East & West (Wendy Freeman & Jessie Sparkes) and Ebeneezer & Elijah (Sheila Gray & Gary Herring) kept the audience informed and moved the story forward. Everyone seemed very confident with their lines. The Prompt had an easy night.

Susy Puckett’s dancers were cute and enthusiastic; and they made good use of a small performance area..

Chloe Wellman, as Silly Billy, worked tirelessly to wind up the audience and keep the story on track. She was well supported by her partner Simple Simon, played by Eliza Bennett.

Martyn Peters was excellent as Nursie…comically camp and very predatory; and full to the brim with double-entendres. Chris Moss made a fine Lord Chamberlain; he was so languid, cynical and superior.

King Thedric, effete and lisping, was an excellent comic creation by Gary Swindle. His loving wife, Queen Marguerite, was beautifully played by the elegant, lascivious and crystal-clear Vee Hardy. What’s a Boulder Roller? Is this some sort of euphemism ?

Fairy North (Annie Walker) was strident and powerful, a strong personification of evil; and was assisted by some monks with dirty habits. Her opposite number was Zara Morley as a confident Fairy South, the force for good. She rattled out her poetry in fine style.

The character of Princess Aurora was very original. Grace Murrell played her as the teenager from hell; and her sidekick, Lady Gabriella (Phia Scott) was more of the same. They were great fun…but could slow their speeches down a little.

Mark Chapman was not only the Musical Director, but also the pantomime Financial Advisor, sporting an extraordinary range of business-speak cliches. Leo Watkins gave beautifully clear announcements as the Herald; and very nearly kept time with his trumpet.

Charlie Sparkes showed great stage presence, first as the French Cook and then as D’Artagnan, equerry to the enthusiastic and geeky Prince Percival (Thomas Newcombe). Percy’s progress in the Mission Impossible was great fun and he displayed a fine singing voice.

Fiona Hobdell and Linda Peters completed the chorus of this enjoyable pantomime.

Thank you Martin, your cast and your crew for an enjoyable evening.

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