Tickets gifted in return for an honest review
The Little Theatre’s annual pantomime returns for another year of festive frivolity. This year offering is the magical story of Sleeping Beauty.
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| Thom Jones (Prince Rupert) and Sophie May (Princess Aurora). Photo by Dave Morris Photography |
We’re introduced to Fairy Fairweather aka The Good Fairy (an angelic voiced Rose Bale) and Carabosse aka the Bad Fairy (Olivia Phillips) and swept along with our tale as Princess Aurora is born and a curse placed upon her that on her sixteenth birthday she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and be placed to sleep.
John Bale once again writers, directs and stars as Dame Nanny Night-Nurse. His script is well paced with many of the usual pantomime traditions followed. The jokes either get a hearty laugh or a big groan (but that’s panto!).
Bale is good value as the Dame, a role he’s played for a number of years. He has an ease and confidence and is a safe pair of hands throughout the show. His wardrobe (Bale is also the costume designer) is suitably loud and becomes a wow moment on every new entrance.
Dame Nanny is paired with Russell Webster’s jester, Tickles. Together they are the most entertaining parts of the show. Their sequences vary from silly gags such as a plate routine which of course ends up with many being smashed, an outlandish ballet sequence and some funny tongue twisters joined by Allan Smith as The King. At times it does feel like it’s their show and the pacing is a little lost when they are not in a scene.
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| John Bale (Dame Nanny Night-Nurse) and Russell Webster (Tickles). Photo by Dave Morris Photography |
The story follows fairly traditionally leading up to the pricking on the spindle taking us into the interval. The plot gets a little lost in the second act when we jump the 100 years and the curse is lifted and it’s up to the Prince and company to save the day and awake Aurora once more.
The second act does have more panto traditions with the classic bench scene, the 12 days of Christmas (which could have done with a little more playfulness) and the song sheet.
Sophie May gives an impressive performance as Aurora, she shines with the best vocals in the cast and shows real potential. Thom Jones also gives a fairly solid turn as Prince Rupert.
All pantos need their villain and Olivia Phillips does cast an evil spell over the production as Carabosse. She undoubtedly grows in the role as the performance goes on.
The music choices throughout are good and engaging with numbers that get the audience clapping or singing along. Numbers range from ‘Shut Up and Dance’, ‘Don’t Stop Movin’’, ‘I’m A Believer’ and ‘Bring Me Sunshine’. Music director Paul Timms steers the ship well.
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| The cast of Sleeping Beauty. Photo by Dave Morris Photography |
Credit must go to the six dancers, Caoimhe Gavagan, Emily Hammond, Lauren Leggett, Poppy Owen, Lydia Rushton and Eden Walsh, who move with grace and flair. Choreographed by Caroline Walsh their help fill out the stage and add depth to the scenes and musical numbers.
Sophie Zielonka has done a great job with the scenic designs. The cartoonish panto backdrops are really impressive throughout and helps move each scene into a new location. Lighting by Alex Crooks adds both light and dark to the atmosphere while sound by Daisy Anderson means everything is crystal clear unless words are lost to audience participation.
With Bale and Webster you are kept entertained even if the plot becomes a little lost and easily resolved, but hey it’s panto. This traditional family pantomime which will keep you wide awake and leave you smiling. A solid slice of festive merrymaking.
Sleeping Beauty plays at The Little Theatre in Leicester until Sunday 5th January 2025. Tickets are very limited with some performances already sold out. For remaining availability visit https://thelittletheatre.co.uk/
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