It’s been a good few years since we took our girls to a Panto so this was like the first time for them. We were excited to get tickets to see Sleeping Beauty by KD Theatre Productions at The Grange Theatre in Hartford. The theatre itself is smaller than most but these are my favourite types as they give a more personal experience and immersive experience, and even being sat on the back row we had a clear view of the actors on stage.
The main cast is made up of just 6 actors, with help from some fantastic dancers including some talented very young dancers. The stage is full of fun, laughter and big characters. The actors hardly stop for breath as they tell us the story of Sleeping Beauty, but not just the story you all know, it has some twist and turns you wouldn’t expect including a large dinosaur the hero of the story has to fight.
It’s a very traditional Panto with colourful outfits and I can’t not mention the crazy Dame Nurse Nora and her amazing costume changes, each scene she is wearing a different outrageous outfit with crazy hats and a bag which seems to have everything in.
The actors do an amazing job engaging the audience with some interaction with individuals, using a giant tennis racket to fire sweets to the kids and even a left and right side sing off. There are the classic responses of “oh yes he is” we are all told to shout out along with boooos and hiisssssss to the baddy, Carabosse.
The humour of the Panto is very well done. Plenty of jokes for the children and slightly naughty jokes for the adults, cleverly done so they go over the children’s heads. There are also local references and plenty of hints to Storeys Eatate Agent as they are the main Sponser.
Some children had been bought flashing wands, tiaras and swords which did distract your eye when watching the show especially when it was a darker scene. These were used in the second part of the Panto where the children were asked to wave them about to help wake up Sleeping Beauty. So it was a shame at times as took the focus from the actors.
The show is fun, silly and my girls have said it’s been their favoutite Christmas activity of the season. So grab your self some tickets as there is still some availability, its on till 1st January 2023.
• Panto running time 2 hours 20 mins including a 20 minute interval where you can buy ice creams, drinks and snacks.
• 10th Dec- 1st Jan 2023.
