Sleeping Beauty, Oakengates Theatre, Telford - review

Crowds packed into Oakengates Theatre to see Sleeping Beauty in Telford and get into the festive spirit – and by the sounds of laughter, no audience member was left disappointed.

Packed with comedy, dance, music, magical sets, costumes and not to mention plenty of audience participation, this year's panto had enough sparkle to entertain any age.

The traditional panto was brought to life by multiple stage designs – each one covered in glitter and setting the scene for the journey through panto land.

The show opened with fairy Wendy taking the audience to an imaginary land with a dazzling singing and dancing routine.

The fun and games then followed with the introduction of Craig Cowdroy as Nanny Nora who reeled off endless jokes that had both the adults and children laughing.

Then came the introduction of Bernie Clifton, famous for performing with Oswald the Ostrich, returning to the Telford stage in the starring role of Muddles – Sleeping Beauty's best friend.

Both Craig and Bernie played well off each other creating the perfect comic duo. They were also joined in some of the comic scenes by Wink Taylor from CITV's the Sooty Show as the King, who was equally as entertaining.

Nanny Nora kept up brilliantly with the numerous costume changes – including one which saw the panto dame dressed as a giant carrot.

A character which the children particularly warmed to was the mischievous Theo the Mouse, who played Wendy the fairy's cheeky friend and – as not to spoil the show – has a very important part to play.

Katrina Gibson as Carabosse plays a brilliant villain with plenty of hissing and booing. The scene which sees Carabosse singing a duet with the good fairy Wendy would be right at home at any West End stage, it was so well sung and acted.

And of course not forgetting Princess Beauty, performed by Telford girl Xenna Kristian, who plays the perfect smiling Disney princess.

The first half of the show ends quite spectacularly with the princess pricking her finger and the kingdom being cursed with a spell that sees them sleep for 100 years.

The second half contains just as much thrills and spills as the first half. One of the highlights was the scene in which actor-singer Matt Brinkler as the Prince battles a giant dragon on stage.

This show has plenty for all the family and if you like a traditional pantomime it will fill you with the Christmas spirit.

Sleeping Beauty will run at Oakengates Theatre until December 31.

Visit www.theplacetelford.com for details.

By Amy Downward