Sleeping Beauty drawing crowds at Elizabeth Sneddon
This year’s theme is magic and romance.
DON’T Forget this year’s traditional family pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, is on at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until 8 January.
Inspired by the Disney musical fantasy film, Frozen, this magical tale unfolds in a chilly Scandinavian country: all Gothic towers, wreathed with snow, crystal and ice.
“We have used an ice colour palette for the decor, costumes and sets – using lots of turquoise, aquamarine, silver and whites, and a recurring snowflake motif,” explains designer, Greg King.
“We consciously have different themes and feels for our pantos,” explained writer and director Steven Stead. “For example, last year for Aladdin, the production was full of spectacle, this year for Sleeping Beauty, our theme is magic and romance. It promises to be an enchanting magical adventure for all ages,” he enthused.
It stars Haylea Hounsom as Princess Rose, with Lyle Buxton as her handsome prince, Robin. Carol Trench returns to the Durban stage to play her hilarious and anxiety-ridden mother, Queen Dot, and Peter Court plays her lugubrious, hard-of-hearing father, King Frotho the Frosty. Darren King and Graeme Wicks provide masses of humour as Nurse Nora Knickersnagger and Hucleby Hopscotch the court jester, and Bryan Hiles reaches new levels of charming silliness as the cowardly knight, Sir Ninnyliver.
The magical forces of good and evil are splendidly represented by the effervescent Belinda Henwood as Celestina Sparkle, and Katy Moore as the deliciously evil Maleficent. Joining the cast is a chorus of dancers.
Sleeping Beauty is a KickstArt production directed by Steven Stead, with musical direction by Evan Roberts, set and costume designs by Greg King and lighting by Tina le Roux.
Performances are at 2.30pm from Tuesday to Sunday and at 7pm on Fridays. There are no shows on a Monday. No performances on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.
