Is 'brillianter' a word? I hope so, because after a dozen years of brilliant pantos at Theatre Severn  Sleeping Beauty is the most brilliant of all. Evolution Pantomimes do just that - they have evolved from something brilliant into something brillianter. 

A word of warning before we begin - don't trust the theatre usherettes. They may not be what they seem, as they grab an unsuspecting audience member (who isn't an audience member at all) and do a big number with them even before the curtain goes up. The moral of this moment is to expect the unexpected.

So on comes the Fairy Moonbeam to launch the story. But Dionne Ward-Anderson is a good fairy like you have never seen before. Brassy and sassy and wearing sneakers, she could be the love child of Lenny Henry and Tina Turner. She is attitudinal, challenging, risk-taking, and hilariously cheeky.  Move over Sugar Plum - there is a devastating new fairy on the block.

She sings like Tina Turner, but when it comes to a sing-off with the wicked Carabosse, Gemma Sutton can reach operatic top notes that rattle the chandeliers. She is such a glamorous baddie there must have been a fair few dads in the audience more than willing to go over to the dark side.

Paul Hendy's Evolution Pantos always operate on two levels at once. They faithfully and respectfully tell the age old story, with the classic Commedia dell'Arte characters all playing their part. But the actors jolly well know they are putting on a panto, and luxuriate in having fun with it. They switch, like lightening, between the two modes, with plenty of surprises that elicit much laughter. So, for example, when a random villager has one line to deliver in the whole show, the repost is, "You're wearing a lot of make-up for just one line..." which of course corpses the messenger. And the recurring question is "Was that a real ad-lib, or a well disguised and slickly rehearsed moment?" Only Brad Fitt knows. 

The master mind of the show is Brad in his joint role of producer and Dame. He's nurse Nellie this year with a Teddy on her head and a wardrobe of utterly ridiculous frocks. "All new jokes this year", he proclaims - though the comedy routines have been appearing in pantos for decades. He just shakes them out and hyperventilates them.

Like the schoolroom scene for example. Many of the superb songs are custom made for the show, but there are some rock classic hits such as Pinball Wizard and School's Out For Christmas, which heralds a rowdy classroom scene I first saw Norman Wisdom do 60 years ago. It features a lopsided school bench from which the present day Wisdom, Tommy J Rollason, wrings every possible joke. His stunt work as Jangles is immaculate, and his cheeky chappie comedy timing is an absolute joy. He simply knows how to work an audience. Better still Brad Fitt knows how to work him, with set ups that leave him hopelessly stranded and leaves us thinking "Was that planned, or did Brad really not tell him he'd cut that move?"

The team work also gives the romantic couple great comic opportunities. Most pantos pass them by, save for a soppy song. But the schoolboy shorts let us admire Christian Southway's hairy legs and nobbly knees as well as his own brand of tomfoolery as Prince Michael, whilst Shropshire lass Lauren Lane's Princess can beat Jangles at his silly word play and crazy windups. It's so rewarding to see an entire cast sharing the limelight and punchlines.

But, as regulars know, the real star of the Shrewsbury Panto every year is a plank of wood. It gets its own cheer as the Dame brings it on. Except that this year Brad has developed the infamous "It's Behind You!" scene by introducing two fold-down bunks - which, of course, fold back up again at all the wrong moments. Jangles gets trapped in it, bringing the panto to an embarrassing halt. Is it an awkward accident or a sublimely executed stunt to bring the house down? Only Brad Fitt knows... though, now, you will too!

The Dame's love life doesn't get any better. Equipped this year with her Magnet of Love to attract the man of her dreams, she still ends up with the bloke on the front row, who becomes the willing butt of her endless string of boyfriend jokes. I happen to know one primary school headmaster who has been picked on each Christmas for 12 years. His wife must be getting jealous by now.

It's this ability to return to the same much-loved routines every year and cap them that gives the Shrewsbury panto its unbeatable class. Add to that Chris Hall's hugely energetic and acrobatic choreography to Matthew Hall's dazzling music, danced by a chorus line who would are all star turns (and that includes the kids) and, dear Shrewsbury, you have a panto that must be the envy of every other town in the realm.

5 Stars

Sleeping Beauty was reviewed by Chris Eldon Lee on Friday 6 December at Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn, where it shows until Sunday 12 January.

Shrewsbury is host to the panto of your dreams this winter, with Sleeping Beauty at Theatre Severn. The show has everything required for a good fairytale - an evil sorceress, a handsome prince, a good fairy, a ‘happily ever after’... and a couple of dinosaurs!

Shrewsbury favourite Brad Fitt takes the helm as director once again, as well as donning the oversized dresses and silly headgear of Nanny Nolly. It’s clear why Brad is a permanent fixture on the Theatre Severn panto stage. His rapport with the audience is unmatched, and there’s a real feeling of camaraderie in the company - everyone was clearly having a whale of a time. 

Tommy J Rollason also returns, as Jangles - the princess’ best pal and court jester. It’s a role he’s well suited to, with a background in circus - so you can be sure that there’s some impressive stunts in store. Nothing quite matches his impression of a juggler on a motorbike, though.

Dionne Ward-Anderson and Gemma Sutton bring the magic, as Fairy Moonbeam and the evil Carabosse, respectively. Both absolutely revel in their characters and buzz with energy, with Moonbeam giving some good-natured backchat to the audience, and Carabosse milking every theatrical moment. 

Princess Aurora is played by Lauren Lane, who is the perfect blend of gutsy and sweet, while Prince Michael (Christian Southway) does a great line in heroic swagger. There are more than a few references to the world of musical theatre - which is perhaps unsurprising, given that half the cast have arrived in Shrewsbury direct from the West End.

The production was slick and sumptuous from first to last, with plenty of belly laughs along the way. The visual design is as big and spectacular as a panto should be - glitzy, glam and at times pyrotechnic. And Nanny Nolly’s costumes (designed by Michael J Batchelor) were inspired. It’s worth making a visit simply to see her chosen mode of transport when travelling with a troupe of toy soldiers.

The live band and music were pitch perfect and fully integrated into the show, under the musical direction of Matthew Hall, but they weren’t the only ones making noise. Keep your eyes peeled for Jangles’ magic machine that transforms brain waves into song lyrics (presumably with assistance from sound designer Jake Johnson and operator Andy Onion). It’s a quickfire, lip-syncing delight. 

This year marks the 13th pantomime collaboration between Theatre Severn and panto production company Evolution, headed up by Emily Wood and Paul Hendy, who also wrote the script. They seem to be a dream team, so let's hope the resulting silliness, slapstick, good fun and ghost gags continue for many years to come.

Five Stars

Sleeping Beauty was reviewed by Jessica Clixby on Friday 6 December at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn, where it shows until Sunday 12 January