"Sleeping Beauty"

Nottingham Arts Theatre.

My first pantomime for 2023 is an absolute beauty. Written and Produced by the award winning pantomime writers Amanda Hall and Matt Wesson. I mention that straight off because there is a formula for writing successful pantomimes, especially ones that win awards; and this pair have that formula. This has to be the best pantomime that they've penned. That said, you'll probably be able to guess how this review is going to go.

A traditional pantomime that is peppered with topical jokes. The comedy is aimed in part at the kids with stuff like "fart" jokes, as well as political jokes about late invitations to parties dated November 2020 and Brexit, among other topics for all ages. Too many times I see pantos where the jokes have been recycled from the year before, sometimes longer, but all of these jokes are fresh. There's also a big twist in the tale to watch for.

That too can be said of the choices of songs. Normally I can predict at least a couple of the songs in panto in any given season. In this show I would not have been able to predict any of them, and there are some real crowd-pleasing bangers. I won't spoil the surprise of the songs, but let's just say that they will leave you Rick Rolling in your seat and you'll show an Ocean of appreciation that will definitely take care of this baby, and you wont be left with the Blues, Brother!

Mike Newbold is King Patrick, who I love seeing in panto because of his easy-going approach, which transfers to the character. The chemistry between the King and the Queen is natural and there's lots of fun with these two. 

Joe Butler is Queen Esmee, who looks amazing. The Queen has a slight hearing issue which also gives rise to some lovely comic moments. This particular pairing is a match made in panto heaven.

Sleeping Beauty, or Princess Aurora to give her, her proper title, is played by Naomi Hills. Naomi is no stranger to panto at either end of the Brian Clough Way. This is the first time I've seen Naomi in a lead role, which she nailed completely.

Nanny Pearl is played by Mike Pearson, one of the best Dames in local theatre, and has been for a while now.  It's so good to see Mike back in high heels and a frock; talking of which he has some seriously magnificent costumes to wear, every time that he came back on stage there was a different ensemble to show off. Mike is a brilliant comic and the scene with the King and Queen and the tongue twisters is classic panto but with a fresh trio of tantalisingly tasty tongue twisters.

Stitch, the Handyman is played by Patrick McChrystal. Paddy is one of those performers who, when you know is involved in a production, you know it's going to be good. He has such an accomplished voice that is so easy to listen to. His version of "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" just tears up the stage and gets the audience hyped to the maximum. Paddy is one of those triple threats, he has a fantastic voice, he can act and he can also deliver comedy, and is a hit with the kids. He performs a duet in the second act, and with such a strong voice you have to have someone who can match. Welcome the Prince of Calico......

Louis Chadburn plays Prince Christian of Calico. If you've read my reviews before, you will know that I am a big fan of this seventeen year old. I've been reviewing the productions that he's been in since 2019 when he played Brett in Copper Studios production of "13 The Musical". I have seen this young man's talent grow and his vocals mature into one of the best voices locally. His duet with Paddy is another heavenly made match which made, between the pair of them, the hairs on my arm stand up. Perfectly cast as the Prince because this charming young actor looks and acts the part and is going to go far with a career on stage.

The "baddie" in this panto is Nightshade, played by Cliff Hart. There is a touch of Craig Revel-Horwood about Cliff's performance. It's that feeling that he doesn't gave a flying monkey about what people think of him and that he can say or do whatever he likes, mainly because he was left of off the invitation list for Princess Aurora's christening. Remember that twist I teased at earlier.........

Nightshade's two henchmen are Thorn and Thistle, played by Laura Ellis and Luca Smith respectively. Another brilliant comedy pairing that was loved by the kids. Completely silly which is what makes this pair so much fun to watch.

We also have a bunch of Flower Fairies played by Daisy Donoghue (Fairy Rose), Tilly Wishart (Fairy Buttercup), Mason Hart (Fairy Marigold), Alannah Hills (Fairy Olive), Lucy Horton (Fairy Cornflour) and Hemi Lewis(Fairy Lavender). There's a different actor for the last three fairies on alternate days in Team Dream. Ironically, the team I saw on Saturday night were called Team Castle.

There's an Adult Company who are Amy Burgoyne, Amy Flatman, Jess Henley-Marshall and Sinead Trenowicz.

The Senior Company for Team Castle are Emily Box, Olivia Finch and Erin Mills.

The Team Castle Children's Company are Evie Andrew, Ruby Armstrong, Orla Donohoe, Poppy Fawcett, Grace Moroziuk, Jenson Sims, Betsy Stevens and Tilly Thompson. I was watching this group closely and their dancing was spectacularly good. Every single child knew exactly what they were doing and their performance of the choreography matched any of the senior crew. I do need to mention the only young man in this troupe - I imagine it must be Jenson - because he had so much rhythm and he, like all of the girls in Team Castle, obviously paid great attention to Charlotte Barington and Megan Leahy, the choreographers because their hands were turned out like professionals. Not one sloppy hand to be seen. (Can you tell I watch "Strictly" religiously?).

Directed by Amanda Hall. This show could not have been any better. it was slick, fast moving and that made the time fly by, so much that I was surprised at the speed that the interval came around.

Produced by Amanda Hall, Matt Wesson and Michael Pearson.

Musical Director is Patrick McCrystal. It shows, through the cast's performances, just what a great job Paddy has done in this role because the performances were as good as any you'd see on any professional stage. Everyone was in tune and hit their cues every time.

The Set was probably one of the best that I've seen at the Arts Theatre, more than that I'll leave you to see for yourself.

Sound Design is by Rob Kettridge. Clear, crisp, not a single cue missed. Perfection.

Lighting Design is by Oliver Read and operated by Arona Jones. The Follow Spot Operators are Cathy Bodman, Rish Chugh and George Wilson. The lighting for this panto, like so many other areas of this production is better and bigger and brighter than I've seen in the past. It is truly on a professional level. On a par with the sound; perfection.

The Projection Design is by  Evie Webster.

The costume designs are thanks to Donna Quarless-McGee. Wonderfully over the top for some, like Nanny's and Stitch's. The Royals' costumes are beautifully regal. Nightshade's costume oozes evilness. Every costumes tells the story of the character's personality.

The Stage Management is the work of Matt Allcock and Nigel Newton. With the size of the cast, you have to credit the smooth management from this pair.

As I said at the start of this review, this pantomime tops all previous pantos that I've seen at the Arts Theatre. Every year it just seems to get better and better and that bar is still being raised by Amanda, Matt, Mike and the rest of the team. There are several pantos that you can choose to see around the area, and at this price you get excellent value for your money. You will not be disappointed!

"Sleeping Beauty" is at the Nottingham Arts Theatre until Sunday 17 December.