I’ve been to see my second
pantomime of the season today (24th December 2015) at The Marina
Theatre in Lowestoft; the panto being Sleeping Beauty. This is the first time I
have been to The Marina since starting this blog and I was so warmly gratified to
be invited to the Pantomime. I have been countless times to The Marina Theatre
as a child to see various plays, musicals and pantos. This was the theatre that
I used to go to as a child with my family to see the Panto every year; however
I haven’t been for a while. The Marina is a small and welcoming local theatre
based near the sea of the coastal town. I went with my sister Fern and my gorgeous
niece Amelia. As with a classic Panto we got right into the festive, fun and spirit
of the Panto; cheering and heckling throughout. This was Amelia’s first time to
the theatre and seeing a pantomime, which was very special to see her reactions
to the performance, hopefully the next theatre blogger (or maybe she will be
the leading lady of her own panto one day). She absolutely loved it although the
Wicked Witch was “creepy” in her words. Her face lit up when the actors sang on
stage with the music blaring out. She got involved shouting the usual booooos, hoorays
and it’s behind you. The funniest bit was when Santa himself came on stage at
the end and she ran behind the chair and refused to look at him; she is excited
for Christmas but is terrified of Saint Nic.
Sleeping Beauty is produced by Paul
Holman Associates (PHA) and takes the old classic story of a princess who is
cursed by the witch that if she pricks her finger she will sleep forever unless
she receives love’s true kiss. The set designs were pretty impressive although
the first curtain drop could have done with a bit more glitz and glam for my
liking. As with most pantos the costumes are great and again especially the outrageous
ones for the dame. Eve Wilkinson designed the costumes and the finale costumes
were simply magnificent, with the whole cast coming on stage with their glitzy
silver costumes. As with a panto dame a costume designer must be able to have
so much fun drawing the initial designs and having those crazy creative visions.
As I have said time and time before, I will one day be a pantomime dame. Jonathan
Eio was the musical director of Sleeping Beauty. The music list looking back
was comprised mostly of modern pop songs however it worked well. Families and
kids alike were able to sing along and enjoy themselves, the main aim of any
panto I do believe. The love songs between the prince and princess were the
most theatrically musical and were my favourite of the performance. No stranger
to panto, Richard Cheshire directs Sleeping Beauty. I love how a pantomime can
direct mistakes (I am sure some of the mistakes are intentional – if not they
should be as they work so well and become the funniest part of the panto for
many). Directors must have such fun and frolics when directing a panto, and
Cheshire certainly should be pleased with Sleeping Beauty as the audience were
clearly having such fun today.
TV chef and personality Rustie Lee
leads the line-up of the Sleeping Beauty cast. I would love to spend time with
Rustie as a friend, she seems a fab person and reminds me of a housemate I had
in my first year of University, Nicola. Lee is certainly a character and she
brings her own personality and bubbly side to her character of The Lilac Fairy.
Lee has a nice soulful voice too which was pleasant to hear. Benidorm’s
gorgeous cabaret singer, Asa Elliott, plays Prince Valiant. With the attractive
voice comes another perfect man as he can sing as well. Elliott definitely has
the best voice of the Sleeping Beauty cast and as previously stated his love
songs were a treat to watch and hear. John Lyons plays King Crumble and Lyons
again is no stranger to panto nor to the production company PHA. Although Lyons
has had an acting career spanning over 50 years (JESUS!) he will for me always
be best known as the detective sergeant George Toolan alongside David Jason in
A Touch of Frost. Lyons acting career is obvious within his role as the King in
Sleeping Beauty and for he was the best actor on stage putting everything into
his character.
Steve Shappelle, who my step-father
Barry knows, plays the Panto Dame, Nurse Katy Cough-Drop (why is the panto dame
always a nurse?). Shappelle is a natural dame and is a really funny addition to
the cast. Although not in heels (after wearing heels at Rocky Horror – still to
be reviewed - I think all Dames should wear at least a two incher). Shappelle’s
quick wit and drag queen comedy with the audience is a joy to watch and be a
part of. Shappelle is not just a panto dame and has a career covering
performing, producing, directing and composing and is due to be on a special
episode of Come Dine with Me next year. Terry Gleed plays the fool Pickles and
he genuinely creates that children’s TV presenter persona on stage. Gleed is a
clear favourite with the kids in the audience and he does his slapstick comedy
well. Gleed brings on stage three children near to the finale, a classic panto
tradition. Gleed is very sweet with the kids and even makes the adults laugh
with his interaction with them. It was so sweet as well, one child was not
given a bag of sweets straight away and given vegetables and he was still so
grateful, me and my sister were awwwwing and oooohhhhhhing so much.
Brigid Lohrey plays the wicked
witch, Carabosse. Lohrey is familiar with production company PHA and the
pantomime stage. She is often cast as the evil and wicked character although
has been the happy fairies in the past. Lohrey would be like me enjoying
playing the hated character that gets all the boos. Emily McAvoy plays Princess
Aurora. McAvoy is a beautiful young lady with a soft and sweet singing voice.
Dancers, Manolis Georgiou and Thomas Mann with the June Glennie School of Dance
make up the ensemble, however for me Georgiou was over acting and he took the
attention accidentally off the main cast.
Sleeping Beauty is a good and fun
show for all the family to have a festive giggle. Sleeping Beauty is only showing
until the 2nd of January 2016. There are two showings per day, apart
from Wednesday 30th December when there is no show and only one
showing on New Year’s Day. PHA’s Sleeping Beauty is a typical well-loved
pantomime and is worth a watch. I am already looking forward to The Marina’s
2016/17 Panto of Beauty and the Beast and I will definitely be attending next
year and look out for more from PHA. I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas
tomorrow and all the best for the New Year with the amazing musical theatre
that is available in 2016.
Aaron Burgess
Remember to get in touch at my
twitter @AaronBurgess1989
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