(Pic
by Val Adamson)
A great show full of excellent
performances, stunning costumes, splendid sets and strong technical support.
(Review by Caroline Smart)
KickstArt's production of Sleeping Beauty – its 11th
pantomime - marks another triumph for this top-notch production company. The
acknowledgement of KickstArt’s ability to present splendid family pantomimes
was evident from the moment the introduction music started, with the audience
bursting into applause and cheering wildly.
They weren’t disappointed. Directed by
Steven Stead and designed by Greg King, it’s a great show full of excellent
performances, stunning costumes, splendid sets and strong technical support.
King’s design is inspired by the Disney
film, Frozen, and the snowflake motif
runs throughout the impressive décor, costumes and sets. Gloriously arrayed in
a glittering outfit with a glorious pair of wings, Belinda Henwood sets the
scene as the delightful fairy godmother, Celestina Sparkle.
Haylea Hounsom is charm itself as Princess
Rose and Lyle Buxton is a perfect handsome prince. Carol Trench and Peter Court
are a delight as the bossy Queen Dot and the doddery hard-of-hearing King
Frotho. Bryan Hiles handles the role of the Sir Ninnyliver with comical aplomb
and Katy Moore exudes scary dramatic energy as the evil Maleficent.
The knockabout slapstick and audience
participation scenes are handled with hilarious skill by Darren King and Graeme
Wicks as Nurse Nora Knickersnagger and Huckleby Hopscotch, the court jester. Dancers
Evashnee Pillay, Leigh Meyer, Kirsty Ndawo and Tess Tjasink add to the
enjoyment. Then there’s the puppet, Hobby the House Elf (voiced by Jailoshini
Naidoo) and a gigantic dragon for the prince to slay.
Stead’s ever-solid direction means that the
all-round standard of performance is excellent and King has allowed his
imagination to run riot with fun costumes, the most riotous being Nurse Nora’s
outfit adorned with teddy bears! The script – based on the traditional story of
a princess being put under a spell to sleep for 100 years until she is awakened
by the kiss of a prince – includes all the fun that you expect from pantomime
with lots of amusing comments at the expense of personalities and events in the
news today.
Janine Bennewith has created some slick
choreography and the musical side of the show is in the safe hands of Musical
Director Evan Roberts. Tina le Roux’s lighting design is highly effective, as
always.
This is a delight for young and old, and
one of the best ways to introduce children to the magic of theatre.
Sleeping
Beauty runs until January 8, with performances from
Tuesday to Sunday at 14h30 and evening performances on Friday at 19h00. There
are no shows on a Monday. No performances Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New
Year’s Day.
Book for all 2016 shows at Computicket: www.computicket.co.za. For block
bookings contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places: editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com,
or 083 250 2690. – Caroline Smart
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