Coventry.

SLEEPING BEAUTY
by Iain Lauchlan.

Belgrade Theatre Theatre Square CV1 1GS To 5 January 2013.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.

TICKETS: 024 7655 3055 .
www.belgrade.co.uk
Review: Jan Pick 6 December.

Oh Yes It Can!
It’s Pantomime Season again. And just when you think the Belgrade simply could not do better than last year, along comes one that knocks the spots off anything else around. A strong script from Iain Lauchlan combines with a superb set design from Mark Walters, conjuring up the magical sparkly world of Harmonia. And with atmospheric lighting and sound, the cast of this Sleeping Beauty romp through two hours of fun and fantasy with an energy and pzazz that is a joy to watch.

From the moment nasty Carabosse appears in the slinky guise of Katy Stephens, giving it all she’s got and thoroughly enjoying herself as the Panto Villain, the audience are hooked. Hollie Anne Cartwright as the good fairy Azuriel with her troupe of enchanting young dancers is always on hand to save the day and Ian Lauchlan’s Dame, Nanny Knot, whips up a comic storm with Craig Hollingsworth’s excellent well-meaning but accident prone Muddle, whose fantastic and timely invention eventually saves the day.

Add into the mix John Webb, as the eccentrically hopeless King Cuthbert, an endearing Belle from Lindsay Harding, Morna MacPherson’s feisty Prince Valiant, a dollop of slapstick, enthusiastic audience participation – with all the usual ooohs and aahs and ecstatic yells of “BEHIND YOU” – and all the ingredients are there for a splendid night out. The jokes are funny enough, the laughs arrive thick and fast, and the audience have a very good time. The smiles on the face of both young and old alike as they made their way out of the auditorium said it all. The Belgrade has done it again.

Dame Nanny Knot: Iain Lauchlan.
Princess Belle: Lindsay Harding.
Prince Valiant: Morna MacPherson.
Azuriel the Good Fairy: Hollie Anne Cartwright.
Carabosse the Bad Fairy: Katy Stephens.
King Cuthbert: John Webb.
Muddles: Craig Hollingsworth.
Gob: Lee Samuel.
Dance Captain/Female Ensemble: Elizabeth Jelley.
Male Ensemble: Stuart David Gannon.

Director: Iain Lauchlan.
Designer: Mark Walters.
Co-Director/Choreographer: Alli Coyne.
Lighting: Marcus Robinson.
Sound: Martyn Davies.
Musical Supervisor/Arranger: Steve Etherington.
Musical Director: Glen Hogue.

2012-12-12 12:38:27