Sleeping Beauty

Published Wednesday 5 December 2007 at 11:20 by Thom Dibdin

Panto purists, alarmed that director Tony Cownie and writer Bob Black have forgone a dame at the Glasgow King’s, need worry no more.

Karen Dunbar is more than adequate recompense - taking the fairy godmother role and integrating it beautifully with that of the dame as Nanny Begood, protecting Beauty (Laura Donnelly) and foundling stepbrother Chester (Gerard Kelly) from wicked witch Carrion (Dawn Steele).

There is not even a crinkle as every element slips into place. The big songs (retro, modern and refashioned), the sweetie-shower, song sheet and even Kelly’s own jokes, all emerge from a storyline that combines the necessary elements of redemption and misadventure with great big bouts of bawdy comedy.

Kelly is a consummate panto-pal - watching him work his audience is a joy. Steele earns and controls her boos. Donnelly and her Prince (Michael Howell) have delightful voices. Steven McNicoll and Molly Innes (King Edward and Queen Bea) with Gavin Mitchell (Norval) and John Ramage (First Minister) are well-pitched secondary characters. Bethany King leads her well-drilled dance troupe with style. The design and live music are as big and bold as they should be.

So, when Dunbar is finally knighted for her services - becoming Dame Begood - it is just a crossing of the final “t” in perfect.