Panto review: Sleeping Beauty at Blackpool Grand Theatre - family fun and festive entertainment starring Steve Royle and Hayley Tamaddon
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Saturday matinee was packed with faces, young and old, who delighted in the silliness, comedy capers, song & dance and enchanting effects.
A dynamite cast brings this simple story to life. Steve Royle, Blackpool’s man of a thousand pantos, stars as Silly Billy and his trademark antics and quick-witted banter are a huge hit.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHis riotous slapstick double-act with Philip Meeks as Nurse Nellie, has the crowd in stitches. Razor sharp comic timing gets laughs in all the right places.
The age-old tale is packed with modern references to Tik-Tok videos going viral, terrifying utility bills and shopping in the middle aisle at Aldi.
There’s even a hip-hop loving king, played by Daniel Taylor.
And plenty of political jokes and innuendo keep the grown ups entertained; “You’re as welcome here as Matt Hancock was in the jungle”, says the fairy godmother (Hayley Tamaddon) to the evil Carabosse.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn her first panto Maisie Sellwood makes a pure and wholesome Sleeping Beauty, and Josh Belward is a dashing delight as the Prince. Both are a triple threat, delivering some gorgeous vocal harmonies and dance routines to familiar pop songs from the eighties to present, with something for all age groups.
REVIEW: Santa Dash in pictures: 21 photos as nearly 2,000 runners dress up for Blackpool fundraiser.
And Christina Meehan makes a brilliant baddy - as the cackling Carabosse she brings malevolence to the stage, and performs a devilish cover of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance.
Joining the cast are the incredible dancers from the Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts Centre with choreography by the award-winning Katie Hill - and her daughter Lexi’s first ever show. The youngsters get the chance to dance in the panto every year, and get invaluable performing experience.
The lighting, costume, make-up, production and the live band are all fabulous, and the special effects make this a truly magical show.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAnd they were able to welcome kids from the audience on stage for a finale - which went down a treat after the break during Covid.
Martin Dodd’s production of Sleeping Beauty is a delightful treat for the whole family, and a must-see this festive season.
Contact [email protected] or call 01253 290 190 to book.