The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sleeping Beauty
Byre Theatre, St Andrews, November 29 to January 5
Sleeping Beauty might be more commonly viewed as a ballet or animation, but the classic fairy tale has also become a staple of the panto season, with everywhere from Glasgow’s King’s Theatre to the Hackney Empire laying on festive productions in recent times. Now, the Byre Theatre plays host to this jovial drama with Gordon Barr, writer and director of the Bard In The Botanics plays, rustling up a shiny new production, rejigged with characters such as Nessie McTeuchter, Prince Hamish McGuffin and Raven La Corbie.
Sleeping Beauty (Kirsty Findlay of Our Ladies Of Perpetual Succour fame) is transformed into Bonnie McTeuchter and, of course, there’s a grand dame, here in the shape of Byre regular Alan Steele, who becomes Fairy Mary Doll.
Taking on the part of one Minnie McMinxster, Stephanie McGregor has previous with the Byre’s panto season, having played Wishee Washee in the 2016 production of Aladdin, while Dundee audiences may recognise her from Glasgow Girls, which appeared at the Rep that same year.
“I’m playing Minnie, who is the maid to Princess Bonnie,” notes Stephanie. “She’s a bit of a mix of panto roles: she’s the audience’s pal but also has a bit of a romantic storyline of her own. She’s cheeky and fun and a bit daft: a bit of the Buttonsstyle character with some of the romantic lead thrown in!”
If there are some pantogoers out there worrying that this Sleeping Beauty might have ditched a number of the classic elements from its famous story, fear not, as it retains the curse, the centurylong kipping, and the handsome prince, while still fixing an eye on fresh twists and turns.
“It might not play out in the way you’re expecting,” warns Stephanie. “There are a lot of other stories that have had an influence on this version of the story – Brave, Frozen, even Harry Potter – so it’s a really exciting adventure as well as having all the favourite panto elements.
“It’s such an energetic show, especially when you’re playing a character who has lots of interaction with the audience so you’ve got to be really up for it. Then, it’s all about reacting to what other actors and the audience give you, so it’s really alive on stage.”
The Dundonian actress has performed in all kinds of productions but she knows being on stage at this time of year is driven with its own, extra magic.
“I went to Dundee Schools Musical Theatre when I was younger, and got to do The BFG at Dundee Rep a few years ago as a professional actor. Christmas shows like that can be a bit different because they’re less crazy. But Scottish audiences love a panto!”