Sleeping Beauty - The Fairy's Tale
A magnificent seasonal pantomime of which Norfolk should be really proud.
Norwich Theatre
Once again, it is that time of year again when boys will be girls, and girls will be boys, and excited cries of “It's behind you!” reverberate around the theatres of Britain. Yes, it's panto season and, from now until January 7th, pantomime stalwarts Joe Tracini and Richard Gauntlett are starring in 'Sleeping Beauty – The Fairy's Tale' at Norwich Theatre Royal, heading up a cast that includes ex-Corrie pint-puller Beverley Callard, SIX - The Musical's Millie O'Connell, and 'Hamilton' star Karl Queensborough. Together, and under the direction of Chris Cuming, slapstick and silliness rules the day, guaranteeing castle-fuls of laughter, and delighting audiences of all ages.
With a script that cleverly side-steps that gnawing issue of a sleeping princess being awoken with a non-consensual kiss, Tracini sets out to tell the tale from the point of view of Dave, the Good Fairy, which he does by throwing himself into the part with seemingly endless helpings of energy and humour. He also has a tail – the fairy's tail. Get it?
Richard Gauntlett is appearing in his 23rd Norwich pantomime and, as Queenie, he once again has the audience in the palm of his hand from his very first shout of “Hello Commoners!”. He is resplendent in a succession of outrageous outfits that include a three-tiered gateau confection, and a faux fur crown-themed ball gown. My best bit of pantomime is the sound of the children in the audience screaming and shouting at every single prompt, and Gauntlett is a consummate master at orchestrating it. As a double act, he and Joe Tracini are pure magic, and the slapstick routine where they attempt to redecorate the palace is an anarchic joy to watch.
Beveley Callard is spectacularly evil as Carabosse, her every pyrotechnic-laced arrival greeted with a cacophony of booing from the audience, and her glittery green outfit shimmers with verdant malevolence. It is a stridently sinister performance, and an impressive post-Corrie pantomime debut.
Millie O'Connell may have lost her head as Anne Boleyn in SIX, but keeps her cool and is dazzling and beautiful as the dreamily romantic Princess. And yet, it is her inquisitiveness and modernity that also provides a final surprise.
As suave and debonaire princes go, they do not come any more dashing than Karl Queensborough, the cool dude with the swishest of clothes. But, once again, he conceals a final surprise up his voluminous sleeve.
And completing the main line-up is the quirky green and yellow bird puppet, Munch, operated by Trevor Lin with a nod to the traditions of carnival and street theatre. Slightly left-field, but impressive and enjoyable all the same.
Add to this the wonderful ensemble of dancers and their dazzlingly colourful costumes, the rotating cast of junior artists (on my visit it was Team Tower that were strutting their stuff so enthusiastically), the brilliant lighting and sound, the spectacular sets, a jaw-dropping climax to Act One and a fire breathing-dragon in Act Two, and you have a magnificent seasonal pantomime of which Norfolk should be really proud.
Find yourselves a consenting child or grandchild, book yourselves tickets, and spend an afternoon or evening in the company of 'Sleeping Beauty – The Fairy's Tale'. Your family Christmas will not be complete unless you do.
