The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood

‘Sleeping Beauty in the Wood’ penned and crafted as always by Tony Nicholls, is showing at the main theatre in the Subiaco Arts Centre, 180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco. Presented by Curtin’s Hayman Theatre Company the pantomime has its last show on Sunday 6^th Dec at 2.00 pm.

          Two children (Aisling Murray, Jordan Nix) are wandering with their nanny (Verity Softly); they ask her to tell them a story.

          Once upon a time there was a Prince called Meridian (Claire Crosby) and his dog Pug (Joshua Magee) who, with the aid of a large tome that they have found, recall the tale of the Sleeping Beauty. King Leyton (Josh Walker) and Queen Orient (Nathan Hitchins and yes - Leyton Orient! The jokes get worse) have been wanting a child for years when suddenly they are blessed. The baby is Princess Aurora (Maria McArthur), who at birth is cursed by the Ogre. The King and Queen ask the Fairies (Kirsty Marillier. Andrew Thom, Evie Stewart) to protect the child. They cannot remove the spell completely, but say that should Aurora live to the age of 16 without getting a prick (I told you they got worse) then she would lose the curse.

          The Royal security was increased with Constable Dull (Simeon Brudenell) and Constable Painting (Pat Cullen) in charge. Carabosse, the witch (Liz Frodsham) and her ‘assistants’ Broom (Kathryne Clarkson) and Mother (Karly Pisano) set out to ensure that Aurora will never reach the safe age of sixteen. Will the Princess be saved? And by whom?

Director Duncan Sharp and his assistant director, Keren Schlink, really got the cast together. The pace for children’s shows has to be fast but punchy, with the dialogue clear and delivered precisely to ensure the message gets through. I love pantomimes, ‘Oh no I don’t, Oh yes I do!’ but so often the brilliant lines from Tony Nicholls are lost to the masses. In this pantomime for the first time in years it was perfect, every joke and double-entendre hit the target. The cast seemed to love every moment.

The music was bouncy (Craig Williams) and songs filled with fun, blended so well with the lively and vibrant choreography (Kylie Baker).

Children love the visuals, the stunning costumes and the frightening ogre (both Kate Hart’s creations), the bright sets (Graeme Mell, Kathryne Clarkson) the fast colourful lighting (designed by Stephen Warren, operated by Matthew Randall) and the exciting and frightening sound effects (Christopher Olive). A massive undertaking for a stage manager to cope with, so congratulations to Claire Calderwood.

Yes the droll jokes made everyone wince, and the slap stick did not appear contrived. Leigh Brennan’s babies did it again.

An excellent show, a high class pantomime to remember.