REVIEW ZONE

Until Sunday January 8 Sleeping Beauty Theatre Royal Windsor

Wake up and smell the panto, it's time for an all-singing, all dancing, all foxy Sleeping Beauty.

Windsor is now Windsoria complete with a turreted castle and a king – with a tail.

‘King’ Basil Brush is back at the Theatre Royal with old chums Kevin Cruise as Chester the Jester and – that most game of dames – Steven Blakeley as Nurse Nelly.

‘Beauty’ Princess Aurora (Lauren Lane) is cursed as a baby but the palace people are determined to celebrate her 18th birthday, introduce her to Prince Edgar of Etonia (David Luke) and dodge any supernatural upsets.

But with Chester and Nurse Nelly causing mayhem, that’s easier said than done.

The comic duo’s slapstick gave a modern spin on a favourite scene and the giggles from audience members (of all ages) was a joy to hear.

Steven Blakeley wrote the script and packed in plenty of gags as well.

The songs are packed in with some great mash-ups and the rock scene was a particular joy. The arrangement of Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday with

Get The Party Started was perhaps pitched a little low for the singer’s range but that’s just a little quibble.

I did rather miss seeing young dancers though the professionals did a great job. Let’s hope the absence was a precaution after the pandemic and they return next year.

The sets, costumes and dancing are gorgeous and there’s a rather amazing special effect in the second act.

I loved Basil’s schtick, Beauty’s lively charm, Edgar growing out of Instagraminduced vanity in only 100 years and the fairytale ending.

Special mention must go to Anita Harris who does a very good baddie as the wicked fairy Carabosse. With 60 years in showbusiness, she is still hitting the high notes – literally – and was a vision in purple and black sequins.

Sparkling...