SLEEPING BEAUTY

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Cut to the Chase at the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch

01.12.2014

There's glitter galore from rafters to stage floor, to costumes and props in Matt Devitt's spectacular-to-look-at production, written by Nicholas Pegg, with music and lyrics by Carol Sloman who's also in the pit leading the band. These three are the highly experienced leaders of what the Cut to the Chase company boast is a totally in-house production.

Not having been to a Queen's panto for some years there have been changes. Gone are the trademark advertisements for local sponsors edging the scenery and gone too are the flashes whose bangs I've hated since childhood.

So life for the audience is more peaceful in one way but it wouldn't be a Queen's panto if it didn't have loud comedians working sugar-enhanced young people into a frenzy of excitement. And that's not counting the built-in danger of two- and three-year-old males, would-be heroes clumsily wielding flashy plastic swords from the souvenir stall in the foyer in carefree manner.

There's a smart opening number featuring the young cast of singers and dancers who are notable for their concentration, smart Medieval-style turnout and looking as if they are really enjoying themselves. Recruited from among the theatre's youth group and open auditions in a local supermarket. Clearly fertile territory for would-be X-Factorites.

With a small cast of seven adults it's simply told without too many diversions. Yes, there's the haunted bedroom but none of the messy routines from the past. Sam Pay's Silly Billy is a lively character with a droll face whose “mother” Nurse Nelly (Simon Jessop) wears not so much costumes as commentaries ranging from the relatively demure to the outrageous. And “she” has eyes only for the hapless audience member recruited by her son.

Also on this comedy team with a penchant for innuendo, is Fred Broom's clumsy King Ethelbert the Unsteady.

Two superb fairies rule the Kingdom of Hullabaloonia. Megan Leigh Mason's strong Fairy Primrose battles against Claire Storey's demanding Carabosse from the Joan Rivers School of Acting.

Then there are the lovers. Rachel Dawson is a perfect Princess Aurora as innocent and naive as the day is long. Her kitchen boy amour Tom Clutterbuck is played by Tom Sutcliffe with a determined jaw and a heroic way with swashing a buckle.

The young team come into their own in a fine performance as Woodland Sprites with spotty red mushroom hats, taunting their enemies as the enormous inflatable dragon does everything demanded of it.

Two hours and twelve minutes (including interval) of great fun and good value. All praise to the Queen's backstage team for costumes, sets, props, lighting etc. etc.  

production photograph by Mark Sepple