Review: SLEEPING BEAUTY, Orchard West
Photo credit: Danny Kaan
Sleeping Beauty at Orchard West offers a spellbinding evening of festive fun, full of laughs, magic, and captivating performances that bring the classic tale to life with a modern pantomime twist. The evening starts with enchanting energy, thanks in large part to the vibrant presence of Sydnie Christmas as Fairy Christmas. Her incredible singing voice immediately stands out, anchoring several musical numbers with brilliance, drawing the audience into the story and capturing the magic of the season. While a few comedic moments don’t quite land, her charm and sparkling costume make her a firm favourite with the children in the audience. The repeated jokes about Sydnie’s Britain’s Got Talent win becomes a fun running gag, cleverly woven into the show’s humour.
Simmons & Simmons as the King and Chamberlain bring a delightful mix of slapstick and witty wordplay; their dynamic proving a hit with all ages. Their onstage antics keeps the pace lively, and one of their tricks even has the grown-ups scratching their heads, trying to figure out how it is done! The musical theatre references throughout the evening add another layer of humour, with sly nods to classic shows that musical fans will love. From familiar melodies cleverly reworked to subtle jokes that would bypass some audience members, these moments give the production an extra dash of creativity.
Christian Lee as Josh the Jester brings traditional audience interaction to life with energy and warmth. His magic tricks impress as much as his comedic timing, making him a natural fit for the panto format while his polished performance reflects his years of experience and bring a confident energy to every scene he is in. Of course, a good panto needs a truly despicable villain, and Larissa Alexandrovnia delivers in spades as Carabosse. Her powerful voice cuts through the theatre, and her commanding presence makes every entrance a moment to savour. The crowd’s enthusiastic boos every time she appears are a testament to how brilliantly she inhabits the role.
Balancing out the chaos are Lucy May Pollard and Cleve September as Beauty and the Prince. Their performances bring warmth and heart to the production, grounding the story in the romance at its core. Their partnership and elegance on stage adds just the right touch of charm to the show.
The show makes full use of traditional panto elements like “he’s behind you” and “oh no he isn’t,” but with a clever twist that delights the audience and keeps the format feeling fresh. As always, the cheeky political commentary adds to the humour, providing a topical edge that draws plenty of laughs. On the technical side, sound levels were a little overwhelming at times, making it difficult to hear the singers over the music. Fortunately, this improved as the show progressed, and didn’t detract too much from the overall experience.
Despite a few minor mishaps during the evening, the cast used these moments to their advantage, turning potential stumbles into comedic highlights. One particular mistake left both the audience laughing and the performers in hysterics. These unexpected moments are what make live theatre so special, and it was clear the cast was having as much fun as the audience.
From the dazzling costumes to the well-executed choreography and witty humour, Sleeping Beauty at Orchard West is an excellent choice for families. Whether you’re nostalgic for childhood memories of panto or looking to dive into the festive spirit, this production offers something for everyone.
Panto fun for all – oh yes it is!
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Frances Tate
Sleeping Beauty plays at Orchard West until 5 January 2025, with further info here.