Sleeping Beauty
Photo credit: Will Green Photography
Review by Martine Silkstone
Great songs, wicked comedy, messy slapstick, flaming trapdoors, a friendly dragon, loads of audience participation, and not one but two fabulous dames - the New Wolsey has thrown every entertaining possibility into their 2024 panto pot and cooked up something simply joyous for families of all ages.
This year, they are giving Sleeping Beauty the rock ‘n’ roll treatment, with the super talented cast acting, singing, and playing a wide variety of instruments throughout as is the tradition for this theatre’s annual pantomime.
As a side note, I am always amazed at how our many Suffolk theatres all manage to offer something a bit different when it comes to panto season; you could visit each one in turn (and, indeed, that is pretty much what I do) and find a unique take on the usual tropes every time which is both surprising and impressive.
But I digress…
In this modern take on the classic fairy tale, written by Vikki Stone, we begin with our heroine, Princess Aurora, being raised in the woods and about to celebrate her birthday. She has been hidden away for safety after the wicked fairy, Thornica, angry at being excluded from celebrations of the royal birth, invoked a curse that doomed Aurora to prick her finger and die before she turned 18.
Kept safe and sound for years, all is well until the feisty teenager, eager for freedom, goes out into the forest alone and wanders straight into a spinning-wheel-shaped trap.
Fortunately, Aunty Rosie - Thornica’s more pleasant sister - is able to alter the evil spell, allowing the princess to survive. Instead, she falls into a deep sleep that can only be broken by true love's kiss, and all that’s needed is a good-hearted hero to smooch the girl and save the day.
So far, so Sleeping Beauty.
But wait…
This new adaptation is set in the mystical realm of Ipswich, the handsome prince is from Framlingham, the fairies are rather saucy dames and, more importantly, it absolutely rocks!
Photo credit: Will Green Photography
Full of great tunes – from Rick Astley to Beyonce to The Human League – this is a musical extravaganza, with superb all-round performances from everyone on stage.
Craig Anderson is naughty-but-nice as Aunty Rosie, complete with outrageous outfits and cheeky interactions with the crowd. Meanwhile, the sweet and sassy Mya Fox-Scott is just lovely as our heroine, and her rendition of Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’ quite remarkable.
Adding a little fire (and water) to proceedings we have Milo the Dragon, played here by Laura Gómez Gracia who is both huge fun and a danger to the front rows – you have been warned.
Alexander Zane also deserves special mention for his hilarious, physical performance as Prince Toby, along with Signe Larsson who, as his valet Jimmy James, seems to be channelling something between John Cleese and Princess Anne – genius.
In fact, everyone involved was amazing…but if I had to choose a favourite, it would have to be Max Gallagher as the prickly villain, Thornica. Wonderfully wicked and vocally superb, I would invite her to every party, curse or no curse, because it would always be an absolute blast!
And that’s we had watching Sleeping Beauty – an absolute blast.
Hats off to the production team, including set and costume designer, Zoë Hurwitz - the whole thing looks and sounds amazing.
In conclusion: a funny, naughty, rocking, riot of a show with tickets from just £13. Book now!
Sleeping Beauty is at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich until January 18.
FOR FULL SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE