What a fantastic panto from start to finish for an all-age audience. Magically magnificent!
Not being the biggest fan of pantos, I was dubious about attending and reviewing one during half term; however, from the moment the curtain opened, I was enthralled by this spellbinding, magical pantomime that captured every panto characteristic—with so much more…
Regal Entertainments Ltd produced a truly wonderful piece of theatre. The entire cast were exemplary, with Maddie Hope Coelho as Sleeping Beauty, Rachael Wood as Carabosse, Lewis Devine as Chester the Jester, Lewis Burrage as the Prince, Warren Donnelly as the King, Katy Mac as Fairy Sparkle, and Mark Two as Dame Queenie, each playing their part in delivering this fantastic, family-friendly fairy tale.
The narrative, written by Liam Mellor and directed by Chantelle Nolan, took the audience on a journey through the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty. Princess Aurora, cursed by the evil fairy Carabosse, pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and is doomed to sleep for a hundred years—unless a handsome prince arrives to break the spell.
The costumes were outrageous, vibrantly colourful, and garish, completely befitting a professional panto. I later learned that Mark Two, who played the Dame, along with his wife Dee, designs and makes his own extravagant costumes—a fantastic and very talented duo.
The opulent set design was equally impressive, allowing the audience to visualise the setting of every scene, making the story easy to follow for younger viewers. The audience were encouraged to join in, shout out, and fully participate in the show; however, due to the excellent visual effects and superb acting, during the non-participation moments, the children sat quietly, mouths open, simply being expertly entertained.
Additionally, the dancers, under the choreography of Nazene Langfield, were first-class, displaying breathtaking skill and acrobatics. It also helped that the performance incorporated a fantastic soundtrack that kept the show moving along.
Overall, this was a first-class, sublime panto—one that I strongly urge audiences to see, either during October or February half terms. I, for one, look forward to attending the Christmas panto, which stars many of the performers from this production. Book tickets early to ensure good seats in this historic theatre, as these traditional pantomime productions will have you laughing out loud and experiencing first-class, quintessentially British entertainment.
Telephone ticket booking line: 01744 756000. Lines open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com
Photo Credit: David Munn
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