The legend of Sleeping Beauty came to life last week to capacity audiences at the Heritage Playhouse during the annual Christmas pantomime.
The extravaganza, written by Michael Buchanan-Smart and produced by arrangement with Jasper Publishing, featured colourful costumes by Linda McTurk (with a team of seamstresses), lively music from Miss Berni G, Paul Steenhuis and Barry Taylor and an absolutely stellar cast.Director Susan Beer elicited the best from each of the 50 members. No one lagged, no one forgot their lines - not even the little ones who played fairies and witches. It is difficult to manoeuvre such a large group on a relatively small stage, but the snappy choreography by Deborah Pageau helped immensely, and the willingness of the actors to overflow into the audience added to the interactive fun of a pantomime.
Her Evilness, Witch Izzy (Melina Cassidy) dominated in her role, often projecting her resounding voice throughout Fairyland and into the parking lot. The charming Witch Dizzy (Jennifer MacInnes) was also a show stealer, especially when she teamed up with the yodelling mailman (Kent Alstad).
The duo of supposedly identical twins was played with great comic ability by veteran performers Sally Williams and Jean-Pierre Makosso. It's amazing how much comical communication can come from a witch's cat when performed by Jenica Vaneli in a series of meows and purrs or how much fun can be drawn from one simple word, the loud and showy "hello" of Trevor Vestad (as Tinker Tell).
The principal boy (as the young woman is called in pantos) was played by Amanda Tyner, and she and Alexa Houle as Fifi made a terrific combination. The beauty herself, Emily Cardinall, gazed lovingly into the eyes of her handsome Prince Elphinstone (Ryan Peters) and several women in the audience also swooned.
But there's no good panto without a good dame. From the first twitch of his crinoline to the last heave of his bosom, Duane Burnett brought his own brand of magic to the lead role of Fairy Nuff, to the audience's great enjoyment.Well done, Sleeping Beauty cast and crew.
