Sleeping Beauty at Oxford Playhouse Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn
Each festive season, the Oxford Playhouse original pantomime productions seem to get better and better! This year, they are spreading the joyful magic throughout the heart of ‘Oxland’ with a 1980s retro twist on the classic, favourite fairytale story, Sleeping Beauty. The director of two previous highly acclaimed Playhouse pantos, Toby Hulse returns and this year Toby has written the show too.
Audiences can prepare to be transported through time to the iconic 1980s in this glittering, spellbinding adventure! On the journey, we join the determined Princess Aurora the Awesome, (awesomely) played by Sophia Lewis, with vocals to die for! Aurora has been cursed as a baby and years later, is tricked into pricking her finger on a spindle by the evil villain Walter the Wicked, played by a marvellously dastardly Robin Hemmings.
The fresh twists on a traditional tale are more multilayered and not just about hairspray and shoulder pads. Whist never taking itself too seriously, the production has integrity in its messages to our younger audiences. There is no ‘Holding out for a Hero’ here! With an aspirational fairytale Princess who can carve out her own dreams, without a Prince Charming in sight whilst still making friends and having fun along the way!
The eccentric 1980s mash-up works cleverly in appealing to audiences across the generations – blending this classic, traditional story with popular, nostalgic hits from the ‘80s for ultimate escapism and fun. With a vast amount of 80s tracks worked into both the lines and the songs, the effect is flamboyant and energising!
With just the right balance of adult and child comedy, there is never a dull moment from start to finish! Anyone who saw Robin Hemmings as Hendrix the Horrible in last year’s panto will know, audiences are in for a memorable and outrageous time! As Walter the Wicked, Robin struts the stage, wickedly goading the audience and pushes the boundaries but just managing to stay on the right side of bawdy.
Princess Aurora is helped along on her journey by Dame Nelly the Nurse, played by Lucy Frederick on top form. Lucy knows just how to work an audience, with corny jokes, slapstick humour and some good old audience participation thrown in. Luckily, everyone is in the mood and this is not the place to take anything too seriously!!
The strong cast are a panto dream team! They work extremely hard together, punching out their lines, exuding energy and together, playing the crowd with their warm personas. Max Guest is charmingly likeable as Billy the Silly and Elliott Wooster as Mark-O has perfect vocals and plays Boy George to an absolute T. Daisy Ann Fletcher as Ursula the Unsure impresses with her incredibly brilliant voice.
Sleeping Beauty also superbly showcases the admirable talent of young local theatre company performers who were clearly loving every minute of the performance and delivering outstandingly on all fronts.
Who needs a Prince Charming! All we need is the love of a friend, self belief and a good old sing song!
Sleeping Beauty at the Oxford Playhouse just bursts at the seams with laughter and is a sparkly, festive cracker of a show! Oh yes it is!! Congratulations to all the cast and crew.
Rating: 5/5
Sleeping Beauty is showing at The Oxford Playhouse, Oxford from Friday 29th November to Sunday 5th January, for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/sleeping-beauty
or call the box office on 01865 3053
Beaumont Street, Oxfordshire, OX1 2LW