UK Theatre Network

Sleeping Beauty


THE CUSTOMS HOUSE, SOUTH SHIELDS

There are many aspects of the festive season that I always really look forward to: a turkey dinner; parties; catching up with friends . . . the list goes on. And somewhere near the very top of that list is going to see ‘the little panto with the big heart’ at The Customs House in South Shields.

It’s one of those things that, for me, makes Christmas – along with the Queen’s speech, Bing Crosby singing ‘White Christmas’, mulled wine and mince pies.

Following on from the phenomenal success of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the cast – a mixture of familiar and new faces – are treating audiences to the tale of Sleeping Beauty.

Ask anyone in the country to list the essential elements of a good old traditional panto and they might come up with a list as long as your arm. However, ask anyone in South Tyneside the same question and you’ll probably get only one answer – Dame Dotty and Tommy.

Ray Spencer (Tommy) and Bob Stott (Dame Dotty) are, without any shadow of a doubt, the basis of The Customs House panto and the reason for that is evident – their sheer enjoyment of playing opposite each other in addition to their propensity to deviate, expertly, from the script and indulge in a spot of ad-libbing, which results in a performance that is fresh and spontaneous.

I’m sure that to explain the plot of a story that is as well-known and well-loved as Sleeping Beauty would be superfluous, so it seems more appropriate to focus on the performances.

Peter Darrant’s villain is a stalwart of this particular venue’s panto . This year, as the Evil Chancellor Lord Darling, he elevates campness to a new and previously unchartered level. To say that his performance contained more ‘mince’ than a butcher’s shop window would be erring on the side of understatement. Yet, much to his credit, it is done in a way that goes over the kids’ heads but is not at all lost on the adults.

Darrant’s master of malevolence is joined by Helen Embleton’s fiendish fairy, Narcissis. Making her panto debut in style, Embleton marvellously milks the role for all it is worth, positively relishing the deafening boos that she received.

Lucy Rafton once again occupies the title role and she gives an assured performance as Princess Primrose of Jarra. The Prince, Walter of Howden, who she meets and falls in love with, is played by newcomer Afnan Ifitkhar and he looks every inch the romantic hero. His singing voice has the clarity and distinction which, unfortunately, his dialogue lacks and some of his lines were, to me, inaudible.

Graham Overton, another regular at The Customs House, gives an endearing performance as the bumbling King Street, whilst Rachel Teate (Fairy Cake), Rebecca Currie (Fairy Lights) and Lindsay-Anne Dagg (Fairy Nuff), who all graduated from drama school only this year, spread more than just a little magic as Princess Primrose’s Fairy Godmothers.

Not to be outdone by splashier, flashier pantomimes, The Customs House also has its fair share of technical wizardry in the form of a delightful little animated dragon named Derek and his much larger, fire-breathing uncle, Archimedes.

The script, as it should, has more corn than the Jolly Green Giant on harvest day and it’s great fun to groan along at the predictable puns.

Once again, The Customs House has come up trumps with a sensational seasonal show that is full of festive frolics – I can’t wait for next year!

Steve Burbridge.

Sleeping Beauty runs until Sunday 3 January 2010.