MUSIC & STAGE

Titchfield Festival Theatre December 9-19 titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com

CINDERELLA

Sleeping Beauty is a fairy tale we are all familiar with; a princess who pricks her finger, cursed to sleep for 100 years by an evil fairy, before a handsome prince awakens her with a kiss… The story follows the magicaal journey of Princess Rose, ass she faces the curse of the evil fairy godmother Carabosse. There will be all of the well-loved characters in this wonderful panto and of course, plenty of dancing and singing, plus hilarious Dame, Queen Ella, guaranteeing lots of fun for all the family.

Will King Sam and Queen Ella ever be able to save their daughter from the evil fairy’s curse? Will Princess Rose find her true love to help break the spell? Will we ever be able to get Queen Ella out of her protective rubbers!?

Sassy Harvey has adapted this production as well as directing it. She says: ‘This is the first play that

FOUR DAMES IN SEARCH OF A PANTO

I have directed and written – and Sleeping Beauty was the perfect choice for me.

‘It is a timeless classic: the beautiful princess and her handsome prince, the evil fairies – it is a magical piece of pure escapism for all the family to enjoy. I love it.

‘Ourr panto is based on the riginal story, however, e have added some ew characters as well, orkingo with the cast reflect their humour turrally, bringing out the t of their comedy talents!

‘All of the cast have worked incredibly hard. Indeed, it is only nine weeks between when we cast the parts for the panto until the opening night.

‘All of us are really determined to perform a panto this year. I believe that people are really longing to enjoy a sense of normality over Christmas; and the best way of doing this is to come along to our panto to feel the magic, enjoy the singing, the dancing and the laughter. It will be huge fun!’

There will be live screenings of performances on December 18 and 19 at 7.30pm, and 2.30pm on December 18.

Best Songsheet category.

Libby Gore, who played Fairy Bow Belles in last year’s pantomime, will play the third dame.

The fourth dame will be played by Tom Attwood.

For the past three years Tom

Four Dames in Search of a Panto has been the resident musical will feature panto set-pieces, directordirecto playing the keyboard forthilariousgags(plussome he pantomimes – but very corny ones too!), iss year he is stepping original songs and ut of the pit and on to familiar faces audiences. e stage to play the

The socially-distanced urth dame. show is being created m’s first performance by the same team behind Thheatre Royal the Theatre Royal’s successful chestter’s stage was in pantomimes – written and Spot’s Birthday Party in 2002 directed by James Barry with – he’ll be playing the same music by composer Simon Slater. accordion this Christmas as he The cast of this panto-styled show did 18 years ago! have all previously starred in the The theatre has put in measures theatre’s pantomimes. to make the venue Covid-secure Julian Eardley (pictured) returns and has been granted use of UK as one of the dames – his 11th Theatre’s See It Safely mark that outing as a dame in the city. certifies venues are complying Julian is joined by his comic with the latest government and side-kick from the last three industry Covid-19 guidelines to pantomimes – Ed Thorpe. ensure the safety of staff and

Last year Ed played the title role in audiences.

Dick Whittington, as well as Wally The theatre has also announced in Beauty and the Beast and Smee that it will be live screening a in Peter Pan – for which he was number of the performances nominated in the national Great which can be enjoyed from the British Pantomime Awards in the comfort of your own home.

Theatre Royal, Winchester December 5-January 3 theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk