As the leader of Dartford Borough Council says in a programme note “theatres aren’t just ‘nice to have’ – they’re cornerstones of a thriving community… supporting local businesses that thrive with every show“. So, when the Orchard Theatre was found to be riddled with RAAC a year ago, the local authority’s response was not only to refurbish the building, but also erect a temporary structure nearby. This is a massive, very welcoming, comfortable marquee with raked seating – Orchard West, home to this season’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.
This hugely enjoyable show boasts an excellent, mostly youthful, highly energetic cast, which works hard to get everything possible out of Steve Boden’s script.
Sydnie Christmas, the “vocal powerhouse” who won this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, makes a strong Fairy Christmas. She certainly puts over all her songs with gusto and, coming from Kent, goes down well with the audience. The Wicked Queen, Fairy Carabosse, is also very strongly played and sung by Larissa Alexandrovnia.
The singing and dancing ensemble of six also impresses, and it is a shame that Rory Collins, Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Toni Paise, Max Rizzo, Jack Shirley and Beth Savill are not given more to do, especially in Act One which seems to have too much dialogue and not enough music!
Christian Lee, as Josh the Jester, has many opportunities for some imaginative magical illusions, especially that involving a member of the audience and a balloon!
Princess Beauty (Lucy May Pollard) and Prince Galileo (Cleve September) are the love interest, both well able to put over a song, and father and son double act Keith and Ben Simmons, also hailing from Kent, are often very amusing, especially when using their own material! The second act is much livelier than the first because they are able to showcase part of their act, where one steps into a magic box which is then stabbed with swords. The denouement is very funny and not what one might expect! Otherwise, Ben Simmons’ role as Lord Chamberlain is underwritten.
Michael Vivian’s direction seems to have been ‘light touch’ but he ensures that the pace never flags in Act Two, even if the dialogue would benefit from pruning in Act One. The choreography, by Katherine Iles, is inventive and just what is required in a pantomime. Miles Russell is a one-man band that uses both keyboard and backing tracks with imagination. Unfortunately, the set designs, including a dragon in the second half, are not credited, but, considering the fact that the stage has little depth and lacks flying facilities, are eye-catching and often quite spectacular, especially the grottos for the two fairies, downstage right and left, both of which make full use of the width of the building.
Most impressive of all though is the lighting design of Will West, at times being very atmospheric and lighting the whole theatre. This production is as lavish as it can be considering the constraints of the venue and is hugely enjoyable, as witnessed by the nearly capacity audience at the Gala Performance that I attended. At two hours plus interval it is just the right length as well – highly recommended!
Review by John Groves
Come and join us for the spellbinding family pantomime Sleeping Beauty at Orchard West this Christmas!
Starring Britain’s Got Talent winner, Kent’s own SYDNIE CHRISTMAS as Fairy Christmas, Sleeping Beauty will have everything you know and love about pantomime, magic and mayhem, fun and laughter and a happy ever after! And new for 2024, Sleeping Beauty is brought to you by award-winning pantomime Producer Imagine Theatre!
The show will have all of the magical panto elements you know and love plus mayhem and mischief, memorable songs, fun and laughter and a mega talented cast of your dreams! Joining Sydnie is comedy duo and Dartford’s own SIMMONS & SIMMONS as King and Chamberlain, the hilarious comedian CHRISTIAN LEE as Josh the Jester, Olivier nominated West End star CLEVE SEPTEMBER (Hamilton) as Prince, West End star LUCY MAY POLLARD (Matilda) as Beauty and LARISSA ALEXANDROVNIA (Sister Act) as the wicked Carabosse.
When the wicked fairy Carabosse’s evil curse causes the Princess to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her from the magical slumber before it is too late? Make your dreams come true this Christmas and visit Orchard West to see Sleeping Beauty.
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Orchard West, 20 Hythe Street, Dartford, DA1 1BX
14 December 2024 to 5 January 2025
