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Sleeping Beauty
Malvern Theatres
***** THE beautiful Princess Rose may sleep for
a hundred years, but, conveniently, in the wonder-filled world of the
fairy story, the ‘significant others’ in her life manage to last the
time travel too! Prince Philip survives to kiss her awake, and
even her father has completed the extra century to see his charmed
daughter wed to the handsome Prince! The opening night for Malvern’s annual pantomime
saw a full house enjoying a lively, pacy evening full of laughter and
colour, despite the fact that Gillian Wright was not well enough to play
the villainous Carabosse. Anthony Williams stepped nobly into the vacated
shoes and kept the show on the road very ably, and the momentum of the
evening was well sustained. When the evening was reaching its ‘happily ever
after’ conclusion, we were invited to say what the evil fairy
Carabosse’s punishment should be! A few vocal individuals called for a
return of the death penalty, but as the Good Fairy (Rebecca Wheatley)
pointed out , ‘this was pantomime’! Carabosse’s prompt conversion to
goodness was a more appropriate resolution and we could all celebrate! As ever the entertainment does not lie in the
simple and charming plot: the evening is enlivened with puns, verbal and
visual humour, the pranks of ‘Silly Billy’, the substantial Nanny
Glucose as the exuberant pantomime dame, along with the visual elements
of the evening. The use of projection and gauze, as well as the
sets, whether solid or painted cloths, was enhanced by the outstanding
costume design. Some of the principals must have had some rushed changes
as the number of lavish and bright costumes provided a feast to
complement the music, the songs and the dances. The principal singers were strong, if in some
cases a trifle shrill; the duets sung by the Prince and Princess were
strong and well delivered. It is always good to have a live band. The
depiction of the time travel through the one hundred years was stunning. The pace of the evening was excellent: the gags
were quick-fire and the switch between scenes crisp. In terms of the performances of the cast, it was
a great team. Amy Thompson (Sleeping Beauty) and David Barrett (the
Prince) had all the requisite charm. The banter and farcing around by
Chris Pizzey (Silly Billy) and Quinn Patrick (Nanny Glucose) led the
inevitable audience participation: they established a brilliant rapport
with the local audience. There were numerous local allusions and
contemporary comments of a gently political nature, all adding to the
good fun. Youthful local dancers added charm to the atmosphere as well. This exemplifies what pantomime is all about. The
show was packed with ideas, gags and creativity, the audience left
feeling thoroughly rewarded and entertained – a fun show for all the
family. Christmas is here! To 08-01-17 Timothy Crow 15-12-16
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