Review: Sleeping Beauty – New Wolsey
Christmas is well and truly on the way when the New Wolsey Theatre open their doors for their Rock n Roll Panto, and this year’s production of Sleeping Beauty is full of that festive sparkle.
This year we are treated to not one, but two pantomime dames and the most adorable pet dragon. As we follow the adventures of Princess Aurora and her family.
When the princess Aurora was a baby a party was held to celebrate her birth. Everyone in the kingdom were invited to the celebrations, everybody accept Thornica that is…. Angry that she was not included, Thornica turns up at the party anyway to give the child a gift… But that gift turns out to be a curse. On her 18th Birthday Princess Aurora will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die!
The King and Queen are at a loss of what to do to save their precious daughter, however Rosie, Thornica’s sister steps forward, and although her magic is not strong enough to reverse the curse, she is able to change it so that instead of certain death, Aurora will instead sleep for a hundred years, until she is woken by true love’s kiss.
As we have come to love, the Wolsey’s Rock n Roll panto is full of fun and merriment from the start. We meet both Thornica, the villain of the piece, and her sister Rosie and it is very clear from the onset that the two certainly do not get along. Both pantomime dames are just fabulous and certainly set the tone of the piece, with brilliant comic timing coupled with great vocals.
A very talented cast of actor musicians bring the story to life with high energy musical numbers and traditional pantomime fun that had the audience captivated.
A special mention to Laura Gomez Gracia who played Milo the Dragon. Who ever thought of putting a dragon in Sleeping beauty was pure genius. This move from the norm worked perfectly and Gomez Gracia portrayal of the character was wonderful and made you smile every time she was onstage.
This year the Wolsey have added in a little more of the traditional side of panto to their normal classic Rock n Roll style and the audience loved it. A villain to boo and hiss at, the classic scene with the ghost, so we can all shout “It’s behind you” and plenty of audience participation, makes for the perfect pantomime to visit in Ipswich this festive season.
And, does Rosie, Milo and a number of princes rescue poor Aurora? Well the only way to find out is to book a ticket and go and see the show. You will not be disappointed!
Sleeping Beauty The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto is on at The Wolsey Theatre until Saturday 18th January. To book tickets visit the Box Office at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
Review: Wendy Cook – Ipswich24 Magazine
Picture: Will Green Photography