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Sleeping Beauty
Playwright - James Murray
Original Songs - George Drennan and James Murray
Director - David Mark Thomson
Designer - Becky Minto
Lighting Designer - Fleur Woolford
Costume Designer - Jessica Brettle
Musical Director - James Bryce
Company - Brunton Theatre Company
Venue - Brunton Theatre - Musselburgh Nr Edinburgh 0131
665 2240
20 Mins by Bus from central Edinburgh with simple but tasty cafe and bar,
good sightlines
Dates - 27 Nov - 5 Jan 2002 No performances Sundays, Xmas
& Boxing Day or 1& 2 Jan.
27 - 30 Nov 3 -7 Dec 10 - 14 Dec & 17 - 20 Dec some seats available
at mainly schools performances at 10am
Evening performances at 7:30pm Dec 8, 14, 15, 20 - 22, 24, 26 - 29
Jan 3 - 5
Matinee performances at 2:30pm Dec 1, 5, 6 , 8, 12. 13. 15, 19, 21, 22,
24, 27 - 29, 31
Jan 3 - 5
Reviewer - Brett
Sheffield
Visual delight, sparkling fun and an outrageous Nursey!
You know the story, but perhaps not told like this! Brunton Theatre brings
us a Sleeping Beauty with all the traditional elements of pantomime and
enough audience involvement for even the rowdiest of children. Even during
the quieter romantic moments the mostly primary school age audience are
held spellbound. This is an ideal show for anyone with a sense of fun.
Visually this show is a delight, with detailed costumes designed by Jessica
Brettle echoing the best children's illustrators, complemented by
a smooth and beautifully engineered set and great lighting design by Fleur
Woolford. Seeing an very early performance these were hampered somewhat
by some shaky spotlights and a few sound glitches - nothing to spoil the
performance but it suggests there had not yet been enough technical rehearsal
and a few more shows should sort this out.
While the dragon may get it in the end, Peter Grimes gets his drag
on right from the start as the outrageous Nursey. Quickly identifying
an audience member (in this case a startled theatre reviewer) for regular
stirring, Grimes is sharp throughout with a storm of scripted and impromptu
puns at his disposal. I'm sorry, Nursey, but while your offer is most
kind, I'm still waiting for the right girl...
Katrina Bryan is the beautiful Princess Luminessa (Sleeping Beauty),
bringing exactly the right mix of grace and giddy schoolgirl to this panto's
central role. Prince Victor, Luminessa's true love, is played by Alastair
G Bruce with endearing nervous bravery. Estrid Barton is the
Angel of Dusk, evoking evil enchantments and audience loathing as she
tries to destroy the Princess, balanced by Tracey Robertson's benevolent
and cheerful Angel of Dawn. Playing up to the kids with success is Arron
Usher in the character of Doughnut, the poor changeling boy who is
forced into the service of the Angel of Dusk. Essential to the story are
the King and Queen of Snowdrop, Luminessa's parents, played by James
Bryce and Gowan Calder, bringing both parts to life and demonstrating
for us exactly what "Privy Council" means.
Sadly, this may well be one of your last chances to see Brunton Theatre
Company unless like Sleeping Beauty they are restored by a Prince Charming's
loving kisses of long term funding. Show them your support and treat yourself
to some quality panto fun.
© Brett Sheffield 28 November 2001
P.S. Love the thistles!
NB They'll be doing A Midsummer Night's Dream February 1 - 16 when
you'll get to see Peter Grimes's Bottom!
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