Mercury Theatre announces full casting and creative team for SLEEPING BEAUTY panto
The Mercury Theatre in Colchester has announced further casting for its upcoming pantomime Sleeping Beauty, which runs over the festive season from 25 November 2023 – 14 January 2024.
Directed by Mercury’s Artistic Director Ryan McBryde, Sleeping Beauty jumps off the page in a side-splitting adaptation by Guy Unsworth.
Joining previously announced Mercury pantomime legends Dale Superville as Spud, Antony Stuart-Hicks as Dame Maris Piper and Sasha Latoya as Fairy Fizz are Jaimie Pruden (Assassins) as Carabosse, Alexandra Barredo (Romeo and Juliet) as Luna, Philip Catchpole (The Book of Mormon) as Prince Istuna, and Matthew Forbes (The Lion King) as Polo, with Shelby Speed (Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour) and Nick Brittain (Cat in the Hat) as Ensemble/Understudies. Pruden, Barredo, Speed and Brittain all return to the Mercury Theatre, having been in last year’s acclaimed pantomime Beauty and the Beast.
Ryan McBryde said: “Pantomime has existed for over 200 years and remains a truly magical art form where nothing is out of reach, and everyone is welcome. Sitting in a packed auditorium with everyone from the youngest children to the oldest grandparents all having an absolute ball of a time, is one of the most rewarding experiences a creative director can have. Pantomime is often a child’s first ever encounter with theatre, so it’s incredibly important to us at the Mercury that they have the best time imaginable. We can’t wait to welcome back our loyal audiences for our all-singing, all-dancing, gigglefest production of Sleeping Beauty this Christmas.”
Alongside McBryde and Unsworth on the creative team are designer Jasmine Swan, lighting designer Matt Ladkin, sound designer Nico Menghini, musical director Paul Herbert, choreographer Rosie Mather, and casting directors Jenkins McShane CDG, Lucy Jenkins and Sooki McShane.
The Junior Chorus for the production will be formed of two teams ‘Luna’s Loves’ and ‘Polo’s Posse’. ‘Luna’s Loves’ will be formed of Albie Keeble, Miguel Benerayan, Chloe Cheung, Xavana Blake, Kacey Speakman, Niamh Butcher, Nathan Smith and Daisie McIntyre. ‘Polo’s Posse’ will be formed of Leo Wiggins, Scarlett Brothers, Annabel Nottage, Misan Idowu, Archie Kropidlowski, Zara Ball, Dexter Inman and Shanta-May Boodoo.
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