Sleeping Beauty performed by
Eyemouth & District Community Theatre Group
Fairy Lilac (Cody Watkinson) began the story of Sleeping Beauty with her lovely voice and with a good stage presence. Her arch enemy, Bad Witch Hazel (Alisha Cooledge), also made her first appearance as the convincing witch with a powerful voice. Her character never faltered. The opening number “The Greatest Show” cleverly opened this year’s pantomime (performed by the full cast of 68 young people!) making full use of the hall. Special mention must be made of Mirren McTavish as lead vocalist who gave a faultless performance in many numbers. King Cactus (Mason Skene) and Queen Marigold (Jessica Isgate) worked well together with the Queen providing particular good humour. Their handyman, Muddles (Max McNeil), gave a faultless performance throughout especially with his interaction with Nurse Hettie Harpic (real life father Campbell Mc Neil). Campbell delivered the comedy we have come to expect of him and his performance was delightfully over the top or should that be round the bend? Fetch (Sebastian Aitchison) and Carry (Monty McNeil) were great as the palace pages with excellent comic timing, particularly in the tricky post scene. The Rainbow Fairies (Livi Hamilton, Abi O’Neill, Dani Peakman, Evie Virtue and Keely Jo Virtue) were bright and colourful and lovely singers and dancers. Fairy Lilac managed them with a maternal air. Mention must be made of the creepy Grim, henchman to the witch. Princess Rose (Paige Hawrylewicz) was a good feisty princess with a lovely singing voice and was well matched with the believable Prince (Rose McTavish) who also had a good singing voice and stage presence. Their duet was particularly haunting. Some of the chorus would have benefited from bigger smiles but provided a pleasing support. Believe in yourself more – I could see the talent was there. The supporting fairies were particularly cute. The dancers worked well as a team and brought a bit of magic to the show. They had lots of quick costume changes and lots of big numbers but never faltered in spite of some tricky choreography. The set was particularly effective with some very quick scene changes. With the number of young people involved it must have been tricky but the Dream Team managed it perfectly. The sound and lighting were delivered well with the “time shift scenes” particularly effective. The costumes were STUNNING and praise must go to wardrobe for the visual spectacle. The choice of music was particularly well thought out and added to the overall pleasure. The finale was spectacular and the audience participation in Dancing Queen showed how much everyone had enjoyed it with the whole hall up and dancing. A friend tells me that the other cast of Princess (Colbie- Kate Ross), Prince (Rosie Mitchell) and King Cactus (Mack Blackie) performed equally well so praise is due to them also. To finish a huge well done everyone! With talent like this I am already looking forward to next year!
