REVIEW | Sleeping Beauty, Nottingham Playhouse
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| Photo Credit: Pamela Raith Photography |
Nottingham Playhouse
★★★★★
With only 31 days left to go until the big day (Christmas!) it's time for the season of mince pies, mulled wine and snuggling up on the sofa. However, it's also the season for pantomimes and we have got to a cracking start thanks to Nottingham Playhouse.
If you are looking for a panto that involves a lot of the festive traditions a pantomime should have; great music and a simple to follow storyline then Sleeping Beauty at the Nottingham Playhouse is definitely the one you need to be booking tickets for this season. What I loved most about this storyline was that it was perfect for the younger audience or people who hadn't experienced a pantomime before to enjoy. Sleeping Beauty is a jam-packed production with slapstick comedy, sparkling costumes, stunning sets, electric choreography and something for everyone.
Returning to Nottingham Playhouse is Tim Frater (Jerry the Jester), Rebecca Little (Queen Gertrude) and Darren Southworth (King Hubert). The unmissable and delightful John Elkington returns for his 20th pantomime in Nottingham in the role of Nurse Tilly Trott. There's also superb new talent in the cast including Maddie Harper (Princess Rosalind) alongside Louise Dalton as the dashing Prince Alexander. The good Fairy Wisheart is played by Lisa Ambalavanar and taking on all of the boos and hisses from the audience as the bad fairy Maleficent is Toyin Ayedun-Alasa.
The classic story of Sleeping Beauty is really brought to life on Nottingham's stage and it's familiar to all, even with the added extra of some modern references like the musical numbers and gags. It tells the story of Princess Rosalind, who pricks her finger on evil fairy Maleficent's spinning wheel and sending her into a deep sleep along with the rest of her kingdom. It's then down to brave Prince Alexander, Jerry the Jester and Fairy Wisheart to save the kingdom and foil the evil fairy's wicked plans.
Nottingham Playhouse has created a stellar of a pantomime this Christmas and the standard is fantastic. We laughed, sang along and participated with absolutely everything with ease. Rocking All Over The World was a definite hit with the audience who cried "more" repeatedly, much to the amusement of the cast! John Elkington is undeniably a natural as the Dame and receives quite the reception from his home crowd when he first enters the stage. He delivers his comedy timing with ease and his dresses are as fabulous and extravagant as he is within his character! He is really fantastic and gave us lots of laughs! Toyin Ayedun-Alasa is exceptionally wicked at Maleficent and manages to execute the cruel ways of her characters whilst dealing with a very europhic audience for a Saturday night!
Maddie Harper (Princess Rosalind) and Louise Dalton (Prince Alexander) are great in their principal roles and their great vocal ranges are very similar. They're also very good at the choreography and they gave a lot more to numbers I would usually see sung just stood on stage - they gave life to the musical numbers and I loved that!
Their chorus for this production are a little older than what you'd usually expect in a pantomime but this helps to give more of a professional finish. All of the young people performing execute some quite quick choreography well and help to bring life to the musical numbers - they have definitely been well-rehearsed and prepared for what a pantomime entails.
You won't be able to keep your eyes off Tim Frater who is quite the energetic mover as Jerry the Jester and a firm favourite with the families in the audience! I definitely expected him to participate in more of the pantomime but his input and delivery was excellent.
Sleeping Beauty as a whole is a pantomime that definitely delivers!
I would definitely urge that you book tickets for this pantomime this Christmas! Itis performing until Sat 11 January and is the perfect night out with your family during the festive season! Book your tickets by visiting the website here.
With only 31 days left to go until the big day (Christmas!) it's time for the season of mince pies, mulled wine and snuggling up on the sofa. However, it's also the season for pantomimes and we have got to a cracking start thanks to Nottingham Playhouse.
If you are looking for a panto that involves a lot of the festive traditions a pantomime should have; great music and a simple to follow storyline then Sleeping Beauty at the Nottingham Playhouse is definitely the one you need to be booking tickets for this season. What I loved most about this storyline was that it was perfect for the younger audience or people who hadn't experienced a pantomime before to enjoy. Sleeping Beauty is a jam-packed production with slapstick comedy, sparkling costumes, stunning sets, electric choreography and something for everyone.
Returning to Nottingham Playhouse is Tim Frater (Jerry the Jester), Rebecca Little (Queen Gertrude) and Darren Southworth (King Hubert). The unmissable and delightful John Elkington returns for his 20th pantomime in Nottingham in the role of Nurse Tilly Trott. There's also superb new talent in the cast including Maddie Harper (Princess Rosalind) alongside Louise Dalton as the dashing Prince Alexander. The good Fairy Wisheart is played by Lisa Ambalavanar and taking on all of the boos and hisses from the audience as the bad fairy Maleficent is Toyin Ayedun-Alasa.
The classic story of Sleeping Beauty is really brought to life on Nottingham's stage and it's familiar to all, even with the added extra of some modern references like the musical numbers and gags. It tells the story of Princess Rosalind, who pricks her finger on evil fairy Maleficent's spinning wheel and sending her into a deep sleep along with the rest of her kingdom. It's then down to brave Prince Alexander, Jerry the Jester and Fairy Wisheart to save the kingdom and foil the evil fairy's wicked plans.
Nottingham Playhouse has created a stellar of a pantomime this Christmas and the standard is fantastic. We laughed, sang along and participated with absolutely everything with ease. Rocking All Over The World was a definite hit with the audience who cried "more" repeatedly, much to the amusement of the cast! John Elkington is undeniably a natural as the Dame and receives quite the reception from his home crowd when he first enters the stage. He delivers his comedy timing with ease and his dresses are as fabulous and extravagant as he is within his character! He is really fantastic and gave us lots of laughs! Toyin Ayedun-Alasa is exceptionally wicked at Maleficent and manages to execute the cruel ways of her characters whilst dealing with a very europhic audience for a Saturday night!
Maddie Harper (Princess Rosalind) and Louise Dalton (Prince Alexander) are great in their principal roles and their great vocal ranges are very similar. They're also very good at the choreography and they gave a lot more to numbers I would usually see sung just stood on stage - they gave life to the musical numbers and I loved that!
Their chorus for this production are a little older than what you'd usually expect in a pantomime but this helps to give more of a professional finish. All of the young people performing execute some quite quick choreography well and help to bring life to the musical numbers - they have definitely been well-rehearsed and prepared for what a pantomime entails.
You won't be able to keep your eyes off Tim Frater who is quite the energetic mover as Jerry the Jester and a firm favourite with the families in the audience! I definitely expected him to participate in more of the pantomime but his input and delivery was excellent.
Sleeping Beauty as a whole is a pantomime that definitely delivers!
I would definitely urge that you book tickets for this pantomime this Christmas! Itis performing until Sat 11 January and is the perfect night out with your family during the festive season! Book your tickets by visiting the website here.