Sleeping Beauty review
Entertaining mix of comedy and glamour with excellent singing
This latest collaboration between the Gatehouse and Imagine Theatre follows on from last year’s highly successful pantomime. This year’s production team and cast, led by director Scott Le Crass, work hard to deliver a traditional panto that will keep audiences happily entertained over the festive season.
Standard fare is dished up in tasty dollops, including a knockabout version of The Twelve Days of Christmas and the “It’s behind you” ghosts singalong. Surprisingly, audience participation is somewhat underused overall, which seems like a lost opportunity.
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Hard-working Mark Rhodes (Hilarious Harry) is a gifted comic actor whose input can always be relied upon to get the audience laughing and joining in. His sweets-on-a-trolley comedy routine is delivered with great aplomb. Nurse Nora’s numerous costume changes (I lost count after 20) are a real tour de force, with appropriately outrageous outfits. There are local references and gags aplenty, although political material is mostly avoided. There’s even an impressive dragon.
What sets this show apart from standard panto productions is the outstanding vocal abilities of four cast members: David Phipps-Davis (as Nurse Nora Knickerbocker), Soleil Quarless (Princess Beauty), Samantha Spragg (Carabosse) and TikTok sensation Finlay McKillop as Prince Rufus. At times, solos and duets reach almost operatic heights of excellence. It’s a real treat not often found in such productions. Overall, a lively production for both young and old.
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