Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty has a plot that takes 108 years to play out, but Liam Dolan’s direction races the story along. The classic pantomime detours into audience participation, a singalong and the big dance numbers seem to rush past, allowing the script to include time travel, a dramatic first act finale and a thrilling fight between Prince Valiant and a massive dragon. Dolan himself, as Josh the Jester, establishes a vibrant rapport with the school parties, although Louise McCarthy’s fairy Azuriel engages earthily with the crowd from the prologue.
The audience is enthusiastic from the first and Brenda Cochrane as the bad fairy Carabosse is an inspired choice - she brings a smoky intensity to her songs, even a version of Queen’s One Vision, her nastiness not tempered by comic ineptitude. The battle between good and evil stands at the centre of Sleeping Beauty and while the comic scenes are strong slapstick mayhem, the passion of the drama is never lost.
John Hannibal captures the classic Dame humour as Nurse Nanny Nora and the West Coast patter produces some excellent word-play. Through spectacular scenes, cute dancers and Dolan’s cheeky charm, Sleeping Beauty celebrates the pantomime tradition with a rapid energy.
Production information
- By:
- Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton
- Management:
- Imagine Theatre for Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock
- Cast:
- Brenda Cochrane, Adele Rankin, John Hannibal, Louise McCarthy, Andrew Findlater, Stevie Hannan, Laura McMonagie
- Director:
- Liam Dolan, who also performs
- Lighting:
- Simon Butcher
- Choreography:
- Joanne Tulips
- Musical direction:
- Mark Edwards
Production information can change over the run of the show.
Run sheet
- Palace Kilmarnock
- November 28-December 30 2009
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