Penge Theatre has a Christmas treat this year for all the family with the production of Sleeping Beauty written and directed by Luke Adams.

The cast of four works together well.  With three of the cast taking on multiple characters. As the Pantomime Dame Brendan Matthew as Dame Dirty Gertie remains in character throughout the performance considering the work that went into the makeup and costume a quick change between scenes would have been impossible.

Luke Adams takes on the role of Willy Wetlettuce who is in love with Princess Bella (Georgina May Haley) although as anyone familiar with the fairytale knows there are a few hurdles to overcome first before anyone can consider declarations of love.

Stefani Ariza in the role of the “bad” witch Carabosse revels in the audience’s “boos” and “jeers”. Her sidekick takes the form of a hand-puppet called Sheryl the Crow who wears a similar blonde wig to her puppet master. I haven’t seen any other Pantomimes this year using the same technique.

It’s a funny and entertaining performance with audience participation. Each member of the cast is having a great time and with some of the one-liners they can never predict what members of the audience might call out during the performance. Making each show slightly different depending on who is watching. The children in this one were enjoying themselves and getting involved.

The Penge Theatre offers a compact and challenging space to produce a full-scale Pantomime. Although every member of the audience will have a close-up experience. One of the walls in the space is used to project the different scene changes from inside the castle to the sea view in Clacton on Sea where they hide out with the Princess.

For more information about Sleeping Beauty please visit the link below.

Three and a half Stars.

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Running from:

17 – 30 Dec
18:30 (14:00 matinees; 16:00 on 29th)