Sleeping Beauty, Darlington Hippodrome Review

Reviews

9 Dec

Written by Stacy for Theatre and Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

The holiday spirit was raised to the roof this evening as Darlington Hippodrome dazzled with this year’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty. It's a sparkling Christmas treat that brings fairy-tale magic, humour, and festive fun to life. Featuring a stellar cast led by Lee Mead (as the charming Prince Lee) and Su Pollard (as the wicked Carabosse), returning favourites Josh Benson and Jamie Jones provide laugh-out-loud moments for the whole family. The production was packed with music, comedy, and stunning visuals that captivated the audience.

The classic tale of Princess Aurora and her enchanted sleep unfolds against a backdrop of stunning sets and colourful costumes crafted by Crossroads Pantomimes and an outstanding live band led by Musical Director Tim Hammond to add that extra special atmosphere to the piece. Audience participation is a highlight, with plenty of opportunities for cheers, boos, and shoutouts. This pantomime strikes the perfect balance between traditional storytelling and modern humour, making it a hit with both children and adults. Expect traditional panto gags and an innuendo or two, slapstick humour, wonderful choreography and a spectacular ending to act one that sent the audience out into the interval on a high. They even included my favourite "If I Were Not in Pantomime" routine - where anything could go wrong, for all the right reasons.

Lee Mead delivered a solid performance as Prince Lee, with goosebump-worthy moments as he showcased his musical theatre prowess with a voice oozing velvet tones. Accompanying the Princess was Princess Aurora, played by Stephanie Costi, from ITVs Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream. Whilst her role in the narrative was decidedly on the shorter side, for obvious sleep-induced reasons, her moments in the spotlight were memorable, with a voice that melted beautifully with Mead's and an infectious personality. Su Pollard as Carabosse gave us an almost likeable villain- I just couldn't bring myself to boo our Su....even as a baddie, she delivered the likeable factor. However, this only served to add a unique charm to the performance. Complimenting our likeable villain was Olivia Foster-Browne as The Spirit of Pantomime, to add a touch of class and magic to the performance.

Josh Benson is a standout star in this show....his relentless energy, slapstick humour and audience interaction was top tier. From his first entrance, he had the audience onside with endearing charm and a vibrant personality that packed a never-ending catalogue of facial expressions and groan-worthy jokes that had me in stitches. For me, he kept the pace of the pantomime punching steadily forward, interacting seamlessly with the whole cast and ensuring the energy levels never dropped. He certainly was a pleasure to watch. Complementing Benson's high humour was Jamie Jones as Nurse Nellie, bringing the heart, humour and high-class costumes. Hats off to Jones who designs and makes all his own outfits - from outrageous to outstanding they certainly added to the dazzling visuals this pantomime had to offer.

Sleeping Beauty packs a punch this Christmas. An unforgettable outing for the whole family, filled with laughter, love and a touch of pure magic. Darlington Hippodrome’s panto is a must-see.