SLEEPING BEAUTY
It’s a family affair.
Pateley Playhouse is an intimate space, used to full effect for the latest pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, written by Sue Hickson, and directed by Sue Hickson and Judy Buller.
We had a pantomime family on stage - the princess’s loving, worried parents - and real, related families on stage, different generations acting together, carrying on a tradition just in the way that pantomime is an English tradition.
We, the audience are included in this family. We know when to hiss and boo, when to sing, when to answer back. The plot? Be careful who you forget to invite to a party: the outcome might be a good deal worse that being unfriended on Facebook!
Led by stage stalwarts Nevin Ward as Dame Turnip and Peter Buller as Tommy Turnip, this year’s Panto delivered in spades - or should that be, in sprouts? Vegetables were one of the themes, as were Five-A-Day - oh, do keep up!
Nevin has rarely been more dame-like. His line in spectacular specs, flirty hats and Tour-de-France get-ups set the scene. Peter Buller, a safe pair of hands in all situations, was the glue holding the various components together.
Outstanding as the lively and lovely heart of the pantomime were its two stars: Princess Beauty played by Brenna Smith - such a delight, confident in her acting and sweet in her singing - and Mia Hirst as a traditional Principal Boy in the part of Prince Charming. She sang beautifully and acted with natural charm.
Carrot (Ben Derrick) and Sprout (Debbie Forsyth) worked well off each other, picking up the pace at times when needed.
Fairy Strawberry was a delight. Vicky Burton delivered the right degree of sweetness with a slight edge of impatience when the King and Queen were a bit slow on the uptake.
The local Brownie pack made charming fairies and were so clearly enjoying themselves. Future actors among them I am sure.
Fairy Nightshade played by Rachel Smith, everyone’s favourite bad girl, sang well and delighted the children in the audience with her interaction. Her costume was outstanding, so many of the costumes were of a high standard. Young Jaxom Smith was the perfect foil to the wicked lady.
The King and Queen of Brassica, Jerry Harvey and Ruth Dodsworth played concerned parents the world over as their daughter faced the dangers of teenage years and boys.
Captain Celery, the object of the Dames’s desires, gave Steve Hunt’s trademark lugubriousness an outing.
Our new Vicar introduced us to Gary the Gorilla, showing a whole new side to his talents.
Carol Bailey was outstanding as Madam Mistletoe. She delivered Stormy Weather with touching sentiment and great control.
Heather Appleton as Prince Charming’s companion Squash the Rabbit never said a word but I can still see her expressive face.
This family of actors worked their way deftly through the scenes and we, the audience were with them all the way, playing our parts too. With some clever direction there was a novel solution to the problem of getting our Prince to his Princess after a time gap of 100 years.
Jean Appleton was tireless with her musical accompaniment. Sound tracks and lighting were used to good effect. Backstage produced artistic scenery.
What a multi-talented bunch. Five a day indeed! What a beauty! No one sleeps through this...!
Ros Wade