Just when you think the panto season is finally over..... oh no it isn't! Presented by The Art Theatre's own amateur theatre company, comprising both young and old, this was a thoroughly entertaining show which is the fruition of much hard work and dedication from all those involved.
High energy, full-throttle performances from the adult cast whilst the younger members play cameos and chorus / dancers throughout. Songs from 'The Wiz' open the show, but the showstoppers were certainly those songs from 'Matilda' half-way through. The story is a little strange, especially when the title of the show is Sleeping Beauty and she doesn't actually get to sleep until well into act 2! The vast majority of the plot concerns the build-up to how she (and the whole court) were asleep for 100 years.
Lots of colourful flats, cloths and props, as well as costumes filled the stage, creating the correct pantomime feeling from the start right to the end. Lighting and sound were constant and good throughout. I would perhaps question the validity and appropriateness of Beauty's black Goth costume though. This is a panto, and as such she is the goodie and needs pretty, light colours; her black and dark velvet look with black nail polish and black tights / boots went against the traditional feel of the rest of the show.
The script was a little wordy perhaps; and with a few more traditional routines, and physical humour (which the young audience this afternoon lapped up), it would have been a much slicker (and indeed shorter) show. At three hours, it was asking a lot of the audience - especially the youngsters, who after all, are your target audience in a show of this nature. There were many jokes, some extremely funny, but sadly, majority didn't land. Those tasked with performing them were given no training in how to tell a joke on stage, and so sadly, most just fell flat. Hopefully this is something that will improve with experience and be better once the cast know how to play them with a live audience.
Paul Bowers and Beverley Eaves worked well together as the King and Queen of their chaotic realm, with Muddles (Isaac McElroy) doing his best to both work the audience and be the glue that keeps all the disparate characters together. Hannah Gilsenan was their daughter, the Princess Rose, showing a lovely stage presence with loads of confidence. Her love interest came in the form of an Elvis Presley-esque Prince Alexis (Liam Haddleton), whose 'hamming-up' of his suave good looks worked very well.
The traditional comedy duo, in this case Fetch and Carrie (Isabel Fletcher-Shaw and Samatha Provart) showed a good understanding of the characters and worked excellently within the parameters of the script and what they were given to do, however they were the most underused comedy duo I have ever seen. They needed much more physical comedy and knock-about clowning. Maisie Done was the perfect good fairy, Lilac. [with perhaps the best costume of the show too...]. A lovely stage presence, clear vocals, and just exactly what a fairy should look like! Her (and indeed the whole cast's) nemesis was the evil Witch Hazel (Lisa Quin), who relished her malevolence, and gave a strong commanding performance. Her sidekick, Egor (Ross Provart) providing the majority of the comedy and stealing every scene he was in.
The most innovative and enjoyable part to this panto was in the inclusion of 5 Colour Fairies. Their casting was inspired, and was hilarious, The young Abigail Pottinger (Orange Fairy) showing a knowledge of stagecraft way beyond her years, and her superb voice loud and clear. Poppy Land (Red Fairy) and India Rushton (Yellow Fairy) both performing nicely and working well within the quintet as the the "normal" ones. The Green Fairy was Sean Stennings dressed as an elf with tiny wings and commanded a laugh on his every entrance, whilst the "Jewish Mother" Kim Cooper as The Blue Fairy was simply hilarious.
The Art Theatre in New Mills is a lovely building and here is a company that have the dedication and motivation to keep it up and running. Come along and support some quality local theatre!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougal
on - 4.2.23
on - 4.2.23
Fabulous really enjoyed it
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