Colourful take on Sleeping Beauty crackles with laughs
Kids can be the toughest theatre audience. They talk through actors’ lines, they shout whatever pops into their heads, they cry – loudly – and they sometimes laugh in the wrong spots.
But when they pay attention, say the magic words “pumpkin pie,” help find the princess when she’s playing hide-and-go-seek and cheer on the prince, they like what they see. And little ones who catch Theatre Burlington’s “Sleeping Beauty,” running until Dec. 2, will certain enjoy it.
“Sleeping Beauty” has been around for ages. Originally published in the late 1700s, it’s thought to have been a folk tale for hundreds of years before that. In this wellknown plot, a king and queen throw a celebration for their newborn daughter. A witch who isn’t invited gets miffed and casts a curse on the princess. If Beauty pricks her finger on a spinning wheel before her 18th birthday, she’ll fall asleep. She does and is then awak-
ened by a prince’s kiss.
Many versions of this classic fairy tale exist, and this production features an updated, clever one-act script intended for children by the late Vic Hyde. It is directed by his daughter Kathy Hyde-Nagel and Michelle Spanik.
We begin our story in set designer Tricia Ward’s traditional castle, with classic windows and columns, and bright green thrones topped with crowns. When everyone falls asleep, curtains consisting of leaves emerge to block the castle. It’s a great set for a children’s production. Kids have vivid imaginations and these pieces are just enough to get their minds racing. The spinning wheels, it must be noted, are beautiful.
We’re first introduced to the hearing-impaired King (played by the delightful Joe Nobleman) and his Queen (Heather Baer, a study in patience as she gently corrects her husband and helps him in the same vein as Fiona’s queen mom in “Shrek”).
The King is a giggle collector. He consistently mishears. Someone mentions the Fairy Queen. “Dairy Queen?” he asks and then tells us about his favourite Blizzard. It’s a “special day,” but he hears “Special K,” and wonders why they’re discussing breakfast. The Queen suggests he gives his consent (“Live in a tent?”) to their daughter to marry the prince. It’s clever and the kids think it’s a riot.
The King also cannot remember his trusty nobleman’s name. It’s Lord Hamburg, but, of course, this becomes Lord Hamburger, Lord Cheeseburger and – the pickle on top – Lord Sausage Patty.
Matt Defoe’s bored, deadpan delivery as Lord Hamburg is spot on. With the first name Horatio, he’s a great contrast to the rest of the cast, who are excitable and bubbly. He’s rather quick witted and he defaults into listing synonyms in most of his sentences, but it doesn’t get tired. “Woe is me, calamity and so forth,” he says. The character of Beauty is rather underdeveloped. Emily Hand plays her as a sweet, naive 18year-old. Though, really, it’s hard to give someone who has been sheltered in a castle her entire life much depth.
Prince Greatheart arrives dressed in a green velvet coat with doily-like cuffs, and is a fan favourite thanks to Brandon David’s instant connection with his audience. For families looking for something cultural and enriching to do together at this time of year, you can’t go wrong with “Sleeping Beauty.” There’s lots of audience interaction to keep the kids engaged in this interesting and fresh take on a centuries-old fairy tale. And, let’s be honest, everyone likes to dance to Pharrell William’s “Happy.”