Show: The Sleeping Beauty
Society: Wight Strollers, The
Venue: Medina Theatre, Isle of Wight
Credits: Sarah and Emily Scotcher
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 15/02/2020
Sleeping Beauty
Cheryl Barrett | 22 Feb 2020 17:21pm
A BEAUTY-FULL way to celebrate The Wight Strollers 40th anniversary… Through a culmination of pantomimes, musicals and carnival collections, The Wight Strollers have given over £168,000 to Isle of Wight charities over the past forty years.
Written by mother and daughter Sarah and Emily Scotcher, this year’s panto, Sleeping Beauty, also commemorates The Wight Strollers 40th anniversary. This production is very enjoyable with some wonderful ensemble pieces, plenty of audience involvement and a few topical jokes. It’s not surprising that they continue to play to full houses.
Sleeping Beauty follows the classic fairy tale about a princess, a prince and an evil fairy intent on revenge. In true Wight Strollers pantomime style this story starts in the Kingdom of Fairytalia, where King Franklin and Queen Florabelle, played by David Kast and panto dame, John Woodford, respectively, are enjoying a christening party for princess Aurora with their invited guests. With years of theatrical experience under their royal belts, Kast and Woodford command the stage throughout. Their duet How Do You Solve A Problem Like Aurora, sung later in the show, at Aurora’s eighteenth-birthday celebrations, is a joy to watch.
With a cast of forty-eight there are bound to be plenty of fairies in this panto – and how refreshing to see them of all ages and gender. As two of the fairies bestow their gift for the princess, an uninvited guest sweeps in – cue boos and hisses as we realise this is Carabosse, the evil fairy. Emily Scotcher usually plays the principal boy but moves from hero to the role of panto baddie Carabosse with villainous ease. Accomplished dancer and singer Izzi Rudd is perfectly cast as Princess Aurora, the sleeping beauty of the title. The show stopping I Put A Spell on You, superb vocals from Emily Scotcher and dancing from Izzi Rudd, has the audience spellbound as well.
A number of cast members give stand out performances. With an equal mix of charm and swagger Nick Weightman cuts quite a dash as Prince Hugo. Patrick Barry as Halfwit the Henchman almost steals the show, acting his comedy role with relish. Barry’s exciting swordfight with Prince Hugo is worthy of a special mention, and a credit to his stage-fighting skills. Director Sarah Scotcher delights as palace maid Cilla Bang and delivers corny gags and comic asides throughout. The chorus is, as ever, marvellous, right down to the tiny ‘babes’ in the children’s chorus, the youngest dressed as little chefs aged just three and four.
As with all Wight Stroller productions, this is very much a team effort and Director Sarah Scotcher does an excellent job. It combines all the ingredients to guarantee success, extensive audience participation coupled with an enthusiastic cast.
The singing, both solo and ensemble numbers is of a high standard. Musical Director Kim Ball, Luke Mulhern and percussionist Jamie Woodford ensure a well-orchestrated show. The selection of songs is particularly good and everyone in fine voice. The dancing is delightful and very well-choreographed by Cheryl and Izzy Rudd.
Full marks to Gerry Tulloch and her team for the impressive colourful costumes, in particular the ruby red finale costumes reflecting the Wight Strollers’ 40th anniversary. Lighting, sound and special effects are effective throughout. The backstage crew ensure scene changes are slick.
Congratulations to all involved on stage and behind the scenes for an excellent production.
- : admin
- : 15/02/2020