Sleeping Beauty
The Hexagon
Until January 7
0118 960 6060
OLD FAVOURITES in a new setting: that’s Sleeping Beauty.
This year’s Hexagon pantomime is a magical adventure that innovates, while respecting the genre’s traditions. In short, it’s magnificent, superb, delightful and wonder-full.
Written once again by star Justin Fletcher, it is truly a 21st-century show that captures the imagination from the very first scene.
After a deft prologue which sees the good Fairy Starbright (Gracie Peters) spar with Fairy Venomous (Rachel Delooze), the show opens with an impressive song and dance ensemble number that introduces Sophie Kandola (Princess Beauty), Carl Tracey (Prince Cloud-Ryder), King Kindness (David J Higgins) and Nanny Bubbles (Paul Morse).
It is one of Justin’s strengths that he writes for the actor, and this is seen not just in this opener, but across the show. Because all roles except Beauty and Starbright are taken by returning cast members, it means they are perfectly tailored so the roles fit like a glove.
Rachel’s stunning singing voice is given plenty of moments to shine, meaning she is more than just a two-dimensional scenery-chewing baddie.
Carl makes a convincing prince – after playing pauper Jack going up a beanstalk last year – and his partnership with Sophie, making her panto debut, is well realised. It isn’t just a love story, they really are side-by-side in their battle against Fairy Venomous.
David’s king isn’t a fool, or bumbling along. He has charm and wit, sparkling with joy across the show.
All of this dovetails into the incredibly powerful double act of Paul and Justin as dame and comic foil respectively. The pair have such a chemistry together you long for more every time they leave the stage. The laughter they create resonates loudly throughout The Hexagon as their jokes, slapstick and bonhomie create much merriment.
Justin’s arrival is a high-octane musical treat that shows his versatility as a performer. Although known as Mr Tumble, his comic timing, acting skills and singing are all top notch. Throughout the show there are moments for him to showcase his immense skills.
Paul also gets his solo moments, and goodness they are glorious.
Reading is lucky to have him as resident dame, and long may he reign over us. His performance is magnificent.
The story of Sleeping Beauty is followed loosely. It’s there, spinning wheel, big sleep and all, but it is not a straightjacket to the entertainment that awaits. And this is a big advantage. Do not expect a Disney-style retelling, but instead something different that is a delight to watch.
This is a neat adventure story that never sags in pace, but delights at every scene.
What are the innovations? What is the same? All the key elements are all present and correct, including the Ghostbusters routine, the messy cake-in-the-face, the UV dance number, and the flimsy love story. So are the corny jokes as well as the topical ones.
But it is packaged around a single set that is beautiful to look at, and needs minimal ‘front of curtain’ scenes to cover for the scenery changing. This is a real change and it means the show moves at a quite a pace. It is unlikely that anyone will have time to get bored.
The choice of songs is great with a real mixture of pop classics and more modern stuff. A routine with an iPod (remember them?) brings the house down while also presenting a showcase for the cast’s incredible musical dexterity.
Beauty and the prince’s big number – The Power of Love – is wonderful in itself, but the game is raised by Justin’s pratfalls. How they get through it with a straight face is beyond me.
And fans of one of Justin and Paul’s most famous routines will be delighted that it is reprised, and is still just as funny as it was the first time.
Adding to the spectacle are the delightful ensemble dancers, Bex Allingham, Nico D’Souza, Alfie Kennedy and captain Honor O’Neill, and the junior chorus. The show – and Generous City – would be poorer without them.
And there is one additional element that makes Sleeping Beauty work so wonderfully: the crews from The Hexagon, both front-of-house and backstage, and show producers Imagine Theatre. Without them, there would be no show.
Truly, this is one of the best pantomimes The Hexagon has ever staged.
PHIL CREIGHTON
