Medstead Players - 'The Sleeping Beauty' - December 2002 Written by Colin Wakefield & Kate Edgar, by arrangement with Warner/Chappell Plays/Josef Weinberger Ltd.
Directed by Gwen Clifford & Stan Whitcher
Sleeping Beauty is sheer entertainment Traditional pantomime was alive and well last week in the village of Medstead - "Oh yes it was!"
Bearing all the hallmarks of healthy family entertainment, with a little localisation to make sure the audience felt completely at home, Sleeping Beauty heralded the start of Christmas festivities in a way no other production can.
In keeping with tradition, Medstead Players fielded a cast which bridged the generation gap - from a tiny dancer with her own enchanting agenda to a King, known better to some as chairman of a neighbouring parish council.
The eccentric and highly entertaining King Cuthbert, alias Peter Hobbs, and his Queen, Esmeralda (wife, Valerie Hobbs), made a strong double act as the parents of Briar Rose, played with increasing confidence by Georgia Bond. The young princess was ably supported, first by Georgina Wood as the Young Prince Hal and then by Katherine Palmer as her Prince Charming.
Dominic Clifford gave a strong performance as the brow-beaten Lord Chancellor (Elsie), as did Jamie Legg as his odious son, Cedric.
The wicked fairy, Carabosse (Anita Prior) did a good job in encouraging the mandatory boos and hisses, to be taken to task by the good Time Fairy, played with confidence by Sue Millett. Other notable performances included Francessca Gillard as the mischievous monkey Nuts, Maxine Rolfe as Patience, Pam Budd as Grace, and Rachel Regan as the spider.
Tying the whole performance together was Medstead Player's resident dame, Stan Whitcher (Nanny Fanny Annie) who never fails to motivate his audience into taking part and having a good time.
They were supported by an enthusiastic chorus of children including Pippa Barker, Imogen Clifford, Sam Murrell, Rachel Regan, Emily Magennis-Prior, Georgia Bond, Georgina Wood and Maxine Rolfe.
And by a strong backstage crew, responsible for an authentic set, colourful costumes and strong lighting and sound effects.
On a slightly critical note, while some of the cast had sweet voices, they would have benefited from greater projection or a stronger microphone, while some characters may have developed more fully with additional performances.
Nonetheless, Saturday evening's family audience thoroughly enjoyed the pantomime - a good debut effort from director, Gwen Clifford, assisted by co-director, Stan Whitcher and produced by Jenny Overy.
Cast:
King Cuthbert - Peter Hobbs
Queen Esmeralda - Valeric Hobbs
Briar Rose (their daughter - the Sleeping Beauty) - Georgia Bond
Nanny Fanny Annie (Dame) - Stan Whitcher
Harry (her supposed son, really Prince Hal) - Georgina Wood (as Young Harry), Katherine Palmer (as Older Harry)
Lord Chancellor LC ('Elsie') - Dominic Clifford
Cedric (his odious son) - Jamie Legg
Nuts (the Princess's pet monkey) - Francesca Gillard
Carabosse (the wicked fairy) - Anita Prior
The Time Fairy (the good fairy) - Sue Millett
Patience (Patti - an American tourist fairy) - Maxine Rolfe
Grace - (another American tourist fairy) - Pam Budd
Spider - Rachel Regan
Chorus/Palace children/Time fairies/Guards: Pippa Barker, Imogen Clifford, Sam Murrell, Rachel Regan, Emily Magennis-Prior, Georgia Bond, Georgina Wood, Maxine Rolfe
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