Brighton Family Panto returns for the festive season with this jukebox remake of the enchanting fairy tale. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if in this new awakening of the classic story, the fun ever goes dormant.
As the West End gets stormed by the landing of Weaver
The Brighton streets fall for the holiday fever
With carols, and markets with sweet treats galore,
And even a panto to break up the bore
At a customized stage, they handle their duty
Of telling the tale of the fair Sleeping Beauty
Through wordplay, and slapstick, and all sorts of camp,
As well as a bold dame, who looks like a tramp
Replete with the drollest pop music hits
The show is determined to thrill you to bits
By bringing us back the most wonderful story
But letting the whimsy perform in full glory
It's still the old tale of true love ever after
But until that point, they will bring on the laughter!
With jesters, and princes, and a female enchanter,
Apart from a nurse who enjoys a good banter
The script is amusing, the numbers are dope,
With so much interaction, you barely can cope
The lighting is charming, the staging is smart,
While the costumes rise up to the top of the chart
The singing is joyful; the acting, unstained,
There's simply no chance you won't be entertained,
The pacing is proper, the humour comes through
But I feel the first part should learn more from Act Two
The cast is a triumph to be held in awe
They all flaunt great chemistry, and hardly any flaw
Each role is portrayed with adroitness and flair
And a sense of group spirit - which, today, is quite rare
Regarding citations, if I'm the suggester,
I'll praise Ethan Makey as the most gentle Chester
Another rad asset comes from Samuel Levene
Whose graceful Prince Phillip just conquers the scene
Although when it comes to the highest acclaim
It's not hard to see that's reserved for the dame
Performing her act with deft comedy skill
Onstage she's called Nelly - in life, David Hill
A family treat for this jubilant season
To give it a miss, you shan't find any reason
So come watch a show that's as nice as it's fruity
And recaptures the spark of the told Sleeping Beauty
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All pictures credit to Miles Davies.
Sleeping Beauty plays at Brighton’s Doubletree Hilton Hotel until 30 December. Tickets are available on the following link.