Sleeping Beauty Pantomine

Sleeping Beauty Pantomime

Wolverhampton Grand

02/01/19

With the future of the country totally unknown and in a year that has just been a little bit, well, grim, there's nothing like a glittering and magical panto to put a smile on your face in time for the festive season. With the ultimate panto dame, back up dancers dressed as Wolves players, a really rather wicked witch and the queen of the Black Country herself, this year's offering of Sleeping Beauty at Wolverhampton Grand is one that simply can't be missed. 

The story follows the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, where Princess Beauty pricks her finger on a spinning wheel cursed by Carabosse. The curse means that she will sleep for 100 years, unless her friends can save her, especially the Prince who can bring her back to life with a true loves kiss. But of course, there is a Panto twist to bring the story to life with much more laughs and silliness than the original story. However, it isn't quite set in a magical world, it's set in good old Wolverhampton, which can be magical in its own way.

The panto cast includes Richard Cadell, who takes on the role of Muddles, alongside his glamorous assistant, Sooty, with Sweep also there to join in the fun too. Ian Adams takes on the role of the fabulous Panto dame Queen Wilhelmina and is joined by Black Country icon herself Doreen Tipton, who the audience simply adored.

On the back of her Strictly success, Debbie McGee takes on the role of The Lovely Fairy Crystal, and even squeezes in a dance or two full of steps she picked up during her dancing days. Oliver Ormson, who recently played Lucas in The Addams Family, helps bring a West End touch to the show alongside Bethan-Wyn Davies, who plays Princess Beauty herself, both demonstrating outstanding vocal ability in songs such as 'A Million Dreams'. Julie Paton takes on the role of the super evil Carabosse, who got totally booed every time she appeared on stage. 

Sleeping Beauty is high energy and infectiously good fun from the moment the curtain goes up in act one. There is a constant stream of local references to please all Black Country folk and an impressive flying dragon swooping over the audiences head is a spectacular sight. It is family fun at its best, and is packed full of jokes, innuendos and a few raunchy references which hopefully completely flew over the children's heads. It is exactly what a panto should be, with several added extras and plenty of magical moments. It was a great way to start of the year and end the festive period!