One of the best pantos Hexagon has ever staged
Sleeping Beauty
The Hexagon
Until January 7
0118 960 6060 www.readingarts.com
OLD FAVOURITES in a new setting: that’s Sleeping Beauty.
This year’s Hexagon pantomime is a magical adventure that innovates, while respecting the genre’s traditions. In short, it’s magnificent, superb, delightful and wonder-full.
Written once again by star Justin Fletcher, it is truly a 21st-century show that captures the imagination from the very first scene.
After a deft prologue which sees the good Fairy Starbright (Gracie Peters) spar with Fairy Venomous (Rachel Delooze), the show opens with an impressive song and dance ensemble number that introduces Sophie Kandola (Princess Beauty), Carl Tracey (Prince Cloud-Ryder), King Kindness (David J Higgins) and Nanny Bubbles (Paul Morse).
It is one of Justin’s strengths that he writes for the actor, and this is seen not just in this opener, but across the show. Because all roles except Beauty and Starbright are taken by returning cast members, it means they are perfectly tailored so the roles fit like a glove.
Rachel’s stunning singing voice is given plenty of moments to shine, meaning she is more than just a two-dimensional scenerychewing baddie.
Carl makes a convincing prince – after playing pauper Jack going up a beanstalk last year – and his partnership with Sophie, making her panto debut, is well realised. It isn’t just a love story, they really are side-by-side in their battle against Fairy Venomous.
David’s king isn’t a fool, or bumbling along. He has charm and wit, sparkling with joy across the show.
All of this dovetails into the incredibly powerful double act of Paul and Justin as dame and comic foil respectively. The pair have such a chemistry together you long for more every time they leave the stage. The laughter they create resonates loudly throughout The Hexagon as their jokes, slapstick and bonhomie create much merriment.
Justin’s arrival is a high-octane musical treat that shows his versatility as a performer. His comic timing, acting skills and singing are all top notch.
Paul also gets his solo moments, and goodness they are glorious. Reading is lucky to have him as resident dame, and long may he reign over us.
The story of Sleeping Beauty is followed loosely. It’s there, spinning wheel, big sleep and all, but it is not a straightjacket to the entertainment that awaits. And this is a big advantage. Do not expect a Disney-style retelling, but instead something different. This is a neat adventure story that never sags in pace, but delights at every scene.
What are the innovations? What is the same? All the key elements are all present and correct, including the Ghostbusters routine, the messy cake-in-the-face, the UV dance number, and the flimsy love story. So are the corny jokes as well as the topical ones.
But it is packaged around a single set that is beautiful to look at, and needs minimal ‘front of curtain’ scenes to cover for the scenery changing. This is a real change and it means the show moves at a quite a pace. It is unlikely that anyone will have time to get bored.
The choice of songs is great with a real mixture of pop classics and more modern stuff.
A routine with an iPod (remember them?) brings the house down while also presenting a showcase for the cast’s incredible musical dexterity.
Truly, this is one of the best pantomimes The Hexagon has ever staged.