Sleeping Beauty. To 15 January.
Nottingham
SLEEPING BEAUTY
by Kenneth Alan Taylor
Nottingham Playhouse To 15 January 2005
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Matinees 2.30pm except 17, 27 December, 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 14 Jan;
Audio-described15 Dec 7.30, 17 Dec 7.30, 5 Jan 2.30, 13 Jan 7.30.
BSL Signed 13 Dec 2.30, 14 Dec 7.30, 16 Dec 7.30.
Runs 3hr 5min Two intervals
TICKETS: 0115 941 9419
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Jen Mitchell: 27 November
Kenneth Alan Taylor has come up with the goods yet again in his 21st Pantomime with the Nottingham Playhouse.Writer-director Kenneth Alan Taylor continues to do what he does best taking a traditional fairy tale and turning out a sparkling evening's entertainment in the best pantomime tradition.
One of the joys of the Playhouse Panto is that we know what to expect, the audience love it, the cast (many of whom return year after year) feel like old friends and a wonderful time is had by all. The performance overran due to the many encores, something I suspect will happen every time.
Kenneth Alan Taylor's legendary dames are as much a part of Christmas in these parts as roast turkey and stuffing and this year his Nurse Nellie Noggins is no exception. His banter on stage with fellow actors and his witty and sharp retorts to good-hearted hecklers from the audience trip off his tongue without respite.
Jeffrey Longmore returns as the second dame. His repartee with Taylor is hysterical; they can clearly read each other, anticipating and responding to ad libs with lightening speed.
One difference this year is that we are treated to a rather handsome prince in the form of Paul Spicer, rather than the female principal boy. He certainly appealed to the audience, provoking wolf whistles and cheers at each time appearance. I could swear I heard my fifteen-year-old niece boo when he actually awoke the Princess with a kiss.
Our villain is particularly villainous. Maudlin the Mean (Michael Kirk), is a larger than life evil fairy, who has a touch of Shirley Bassey about her with her flowing, feathered dress and theatrical movements.
We danced, we sang, we cheered and booed and that was just the audience. From the very young to the very old, I couldn't see one audience member who was not participating in the fun and frivolity. Sheer Christmas escapism!
King Phillippe: Michael Remick
Queen Gertrude: Jeffrey Longmore
Nurse Nelly Noggins: Kenneth Alan Taylor
King Hubert: John Elkington
Fairy Wisheart: Francesca Ellis
Maudlin the Mean: Michael Kirk
Princess Rosalind: Julia Harrison Jones
Prince Alexander: Paul Spicer
Chorus
Blue Team:
Fairy Peaseblossom: Sophie Thorpe
Fairy Aurora: Alex Ross
Charlotte Griffin, Alisha Hunt, Ellena Self, Laura Rudolph, Jessica Hatfield
Reserve: Abbie Wain
Red Team:
Fairy Peaseblossom: Brittany Carver
Fairy Aurora: Clare Johnson
Charlotte Houldsworth, Jessica Chatrie, Charlotte Cox, Amy Lawrence, Samantha Watt-Porter, Emily Johnson
Reserve: Ruth Simpson
Director: Kenneth Alan Taylor
Designer: Terry Parsons
Lighting: Jason Taylor
Sound: Adam McCready
Musical Director: John Morton
Choreographer: Adele Parry
2004-11-29 03:13:00