PANTO season is now amongst us and I always put them into 2 categories, those that have a strong traditional story and those have a loose story, full of a variety of entertainment. Sleeping Beauty at Durham Gala certainly fits in with the strong traditional story complete with a freshness of twists and turns.
Opening with Hester the Jester, Lauren Waine, she brilliantly engages with the audience quickly, helping to get into the story. King Archibald of Durham-ion, Jacob Anderton, is celebrating his daughters Christening Day as The Evil Witch Karen, Zoe Lambert, hasn’t been invited and annoyed at this puts a curse on the King’s daughter, to send her to sleep for 100 years with the prick of a rose on her 16th Birthday. This was much more accessible for children, by replacing the spinning wheel to the rose. Many references to Disney lawyers, made great entertainment as they changed names especially the evil Karen.
Fast forward almost 16 years where Briar Rose, Chloe Jane Millar, the King’s daughter, and her faithful dog Sammie, Jude Nelson, who loves chasing squirrels and finding sticks, is unaware of the curse. As she approaches her 16th Birthday party, she should be safe as The King has ensured there are no roses in the kingdom. Briar Rose and Sammie are an incredible duo, amazing singing and great energy throughout, I hope they appear again next year. Nanny Fartoften, Steve Byron, looks after Briar Rose, although he is very understated as a Dame, he’s the only part in the show where the humour is below the belt!
One of the rare deviances from the story is the kitchen scene where the King creates his new flavours of ice cream – moving into a typical kitchen scene. The King has invited Prince Chad of Middle-boroughly, Benjamin Storey, hoping he will marry Briar Rose. Though he only loves himself.
The story follows with Briar Rose asleep, only saved by true loves kiss. The ensemble complete the cast who were fantastic with energetic singing and dancing.
Sleeping Beauty is a perfect panto for lots of family fun. I’ll be back before the end of the run.
At Durham Gala until Sunday 8th January 2023
