REVIEW:

Sleeping Beauty, The Point

A HEARTWARMING tale of friendship and the power of storytelling.

Matt Beames has taken the traditional story of Sleeping Beauty and adapted it for a modern audience. Told by a fairy, played with zest by Hannah-May Coull, we learn that the dormant royal is now a Prince (Max Baker). His rescuer is working class lass Aurora. (Ellie Morrison).

The ever present fairy guardians all perform well but, with sound not always clear, Katie-Anna McConnell projects her voice particularly well.

Forgotten fairy Oublier curses the baby prince to eternal sleep if pricked by a spindle. This isn’t a traditional pantomime but it’s hard to resist booing this villain, played with relish by Megan Beeson.

Aurora’s journey is interspersed with flashbacks of her and the Prince. Charlie Rosser and Roma Fordham are naturals as the youngsters and Rhys Tabor is excellent as the loyal Captain.

The puppeteers do a splendid job of bringing animals to life. Scenes involving the frightening Myrkwood Spirits are well choreographed. The best song is the King and Queen’s duet, sung beautifully by Sophie Parker and Aidan Cooper. Costumes, designed by Carl Davies, are excellent, the fairies’ colourful tutus and wild hair the pick. Runs until December 24.