Sleeping Beauty at Malvern Theatres is laugh out loud funny! UK productions have done it again with a wonderfully refreshing script and superb casting.
Chris Pizzey, best known as Basil Brush’s sidekick Mr Stephen, is not only brilliant as the comedic Silly Billy but also as director of this rib tickler of a show. Excellent storytelling has been interspersed with hilarious comedy routines and an eclectic mix of songs, old and new, perfectly accompanied by Christopher Duffy and his band. Alastair Bull returns as choreographer, fully utilising the local, young talent of Cecilia Hall Dance Centre while showcasing the professional dancers.
Rebecca Wheatley, of Casualty fame, flies in to open the show as a very likeable Good Fairy bestowing magical gifts on baby Rose. The celebrations are interrupted when the evil Carabosse turns up to lay a curse on the tiny princess that she will die on her 18th birthday, when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel. Due to illness, Gillian Wright was unable to play the part of the evil fairy, so executive director, Anthony Williams, stepped into the role and gave a truly magnificent performance and saving the day!
Eighteen years it is the day Princess Rose’s birthday. The delightful Amy Thompson returns to Malvern to bring new life into the princess role and is perfectly paired with David Barrett as the dashing, Prince Philip. Their rendition of Queen’s Somebody To Love is stunning. Barrett’s vocal similarity to Freddy Mercury is astonishing. Mark Llewelyn Evans is great as her very Welsh father, King Colin, and also wows the audience with his impressive set of pipes! The most inspired casting is Quinn Patrick as Nanny Glucose. He is, without question, the funniest dame I have ever seen and brings the role right up to date. Pizzey and Patrick are simply the most entertaining double act as Nanny and Billy and will have you in stitches! The humour throughout the production is a superb mix of pantomime classics, new jokes and satyrical references, something for all of the family to enjoy.
The pantomimes at Malvern Festival Theatre seem to get better and better every year and this year is an absolute triumph. Sleeping Beauty is fresh, funny and full of heart. Make sure you go and see this festive treat. ★★★★★ Rob Holcroft 16th December 2016
