We all know the story of Sleeping Beauty – the cursed princess who pricks her finger and sleeps for a hundred years. Matthew Xia’s panto version at Theatre Royal Stratford East has enough twists and turns to make it more of an ‘inspired by’ job. It’s no worse for it. This is one of those shows that gathers momentum as it moves along, leaving you ready to break out your jazz hands by the end.
Without giving too much away, our princess (Ericka Posadas) grows up as a wild, free-spirited lass, more Mulan than mademoiselle. By act two, she’s made it to the future (our present), where we all learn a few lessons about modern life, before looping back to that classic fairytale theme: selfless love.
She’s supported by her parents, the deliciously camp King Percy (Joshua Elliot) and beautifully butch (drag) Queen Pearl (Shaun Prendergast), a comedy double-act who give the show its trad panto backbone. But it is Josephine Melville’s Mauditious Le Vicious who steals the show. Sinister yet charismatic, with a magnificent, resonant voice and effortless timing, she is truly a villain you love to hate. Other highlights include the sweet sincerity of a solo song by the Princess, and the charming, whimsical goofiness of Mauditious’s reticent sidekick Crow (Anthony Rickman). And, while I’m at it, an unexpected operatic outburst by Mirror Antoinette (Alice Frankham). Short-lived, yet stunning. That’s girl’s got some pipes.
Expect to have fun: there’s audience participation, pitched mostly at the kids, but with grown-ups encouraged to chuck aside their inhibitions (an interval bevvie should help) and join in too. But this show isn’t without its flaws. The first act is slow-moving and flabby: ditching a couple of the non-crucial numbers would help. And the fairies – in spite of their cute outfits, complete with wind-up keys on their backs – are quite annoying, frankly. There’s never an excuse for voices that shrill.
But for a family-friendly, fresh take on a classic tale, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ will do nicely. Oh, and one final tip: brush up on your flossing.