Sleeping Beauty,
The Hawth, Crawley
With the children grown and thankfully not at the grandchildren stage yet, I haven’t been to a pantomime for a few years. With the star-studded cast at the Hawth, Crawley this year I thought it was time to gather some Christmas spirit. So, I put on my Christmas jumper and joined the throngs of families young and old, brownie packs and youth groups to rediscover the joys of starting the festive season with some traditional British Theatre.
Despite the economic downturn, I was delighted to see that the Hawth was full to bursting with expectant eager faces. They weren’t to be disappointed either as Evolution Productions once again provided a belting evening of fun, laughs and surprises.
This year’s panto was Sleeping Beauty, and as the lovely heroine is sleep for 50% of the show the headliner Carrie Hope Fletcher played the evil Carrabosse. Carrie is no stranger to the stage having been on the West End stage for many years, most recently playing the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most recent musical Cinderella. Here she stars along her long-time pal Scott Paige making her pantomime debut as The Good Spirit Moonbeam. Scott is a natural panto performer and I think he will be a regular on the panto scene to watch.
Michael J Batchelor returns to the Hawth as Dame Nurse Nellie, this year marks his tenth anniversary at Crawley, and it is safe to say that the Hawth panto simply wouldn’t be the same without him. His flamboyant costumes, many of which he makes himself and the seemingly effortless delivery of his lines have the audience in stitches. Nurse Nellie’s sidekick Jangles is played by Cbeebies presenter Andy Day, it is a long time since I have watched CBeebies but when Andy walked on the stage, the children around me grew an inch taller and were immediately enraptured. He is an expert in his craft! Completing the main cast as the star-crossed lovers with 100 years to wait are Chrystine Symone as Beauty and Luke Walsh as Prince Michael.
Paul Hendy’s script once again delivers the corniest of jokes, hilarious slapstick scenes and crazy pantomime capers that we have come to expect year after year at Crawley. If I were to criticise anything it is that unfortunately this year the music was often too loud drowning out the fabulous vocals and making the lyrics (often ingeniously changed to fit the script) inaudible. A shame because once again the music choices were inspired, including pop tunes, West End anthems and Disney favourites (there was even a little Madness and Blues Brothers). The production positively glitters (quite literally) and is a perfect Christmas treat for everyone to enjoy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewer: Sammi O’Neill