Thas A Fact?

All The Fun Of The Fairytale!

Sleeping Beauty - Kevin Sacre as Prince Valient, Hayley Tamaddon as Hope, Richard Gauntlett as Nurse Peggy Pickle and David Gant as Leonardo.

Going to my first Panto at the Norwich Theatre Royal in the late 70s to see Cinderella is one of my earliest and most enduring memories. Not least because I was one of those kids that went up on stage. I was the smallest one up there and got to meet Benny from Crossroads who was playing Buttons. I will never forget the experience (or the giant tin for Quality Street I got to take away – these things stick in a child’s mind, y’know). I couldn’t tell you what actual present I received from my Parents for Christmas that same year, but I called my first Guinea Pig ‘Buttons’ a couple of years later. That’s the Power of Panto folks.

So, it seemed very poignant to, some 30 years later, be taking my own son (3 1/2) to his first Christmas Pantomime at the very same Theatre.

This years production is Sleeping Beauty. You all know the tale – hacked off wicked fairy/witch type puts curse on beautiful young Princess, who then pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and falls into a Century of slumber (sounds pretty good to me, that part), only to be awakened by True Loves Kiss. Bet you didn’t know though, that it also involves the Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Time Warp, an Abba Medley, enough lasers to make Coldplay feel inadequate and a love song by Adele?

Sleeping Beauty - The time machine.

That’s the genius of Panto, you see. Despite the fact that the tradition has its roots in the Middle Ages (and possibly earlier), with certain conventions honoured religiously (the Pantomime Dame has to be a man in drag, for example), the Christmas Panto is fluid enough to incorporate current affairs, pop songs and, of course, celebs that we know from the TV. These elements combined make the Panto a huge draw for everyone, from toddler to OAP (in last nights audience was a lady celebrating her 100th birthday).

Last nights performance was, in short, brilliant fun. And hilarious. The gags – some rehearsed, some I suspect improvised (which I personally find funnier) were cheeky and quick, drawing on references to everything from the current situation in the EU to fashion appreciation in Great Yarmouth.

Audience participation (another must for a bona-fide Panto, obviously) was high and only increased as the show went on. We were sitting beside the Norwich Youth for Christ Gospel Choir, who got up and joined in with the Time Warp at one stage. Love it. By the second part, even Little Man was shouting ‘Booooo’ and ‘They’re behind yooooooou’ with the best of them. A sign for me that he was thoroughly enjoying it, despite my initial concerns about it being a later performance time than his usual bedtime.

The entire cast were superb, from the leads to the children playing the wolves (very cute). The sets were excellent, ambitious and realistic with slick and frequent scene changes. If I had to choose a favourite scene (difficult) I think the Haunted Bedroom/Haunted Corridor elements had me chuckling most – particularly the Scoody-Doo-meets-Benny-Hill style chase on space hoppers. Little Man was roaring with laughter during these scenes as well.

Muddles and Nurse Pickle in the 'Haunted Bedroom'.

Helen Fraser as Bracken and the wolves.

For our little boy, I hope the experience was enjoyable and as memorable as my first Panto trip. I asked him afterwards whether he liked it and he gave me a resounding ‘Yes’, before adding that his favourite parts were “the wolves, the dog, the funny man (I’m assuming he meant Muddles Pickle, played by Andre Vincent) and the wicked fairy”. He was not too keen however on the “bit where the wicked fairy came out of the floor”, which he said was “scary”. Well, she is wicked… it is to be expected.

Apparently, people are spending money on experiences for Christmas this year rather than hard goods as presents. As a fabulous, festive experience for the entire family, you won’t go wrong with a trip to Sleeping Beauty at the Theatre Royal Norwich. With tickets ranging from £5 to £19, it might just be an outing that leaves a memory that lasts a lifetime. Excellent value, I’d say. And even if it doesn’t, its a bloomin’ good laugh for all ages that you can share with your friends and loved ones around Christmas time, and that too is always priceless.

Scene from Sleeping Beauty - David Gant as Leonardo, Tom Beard as Rumbole, Andre Vincent as Muddles and Richard Gauntlett as Nurse Peggy Pickle.

Sleeping Beauty (sponsored by Almary Green) runs from December 14 2011 – January 15 2012.
Tickets £5-£19. Discounts for Over-60s, Under-18s and Groups.
Signed performances on Saturday January 14 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Audio described performance on Saturday January 14 at 2.30pm.
BOX OFFICE 01603 630000.
For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk.

Norwich Theatre Royal, Theatre Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1RL.

We parked at the Forum, which has a flat rate of £1.70 after 5.30pm.