The Stafford Gatehouse panto is back with a bang this winter, presenting the classic fairytale, Sleeping Beauty. Don’t worry - they’re certainly not sleeping on the job! Brought to you by panto pros Imagine Theatre, it’s a finely-tuned and fabulous festive treat.

You must know the story by now. Princess Beauty is cursed as a baby by evil Carabosse, dooming her to prick her finger on a spinning wheel on her eighteenth birthday, and die - until a good fairy changes the spell. In a more suitable fairytale ending, Beauty will instead fall asleep for 100 years, to be woken by true love’s kiss...

The Gatehouse’s version is bright and reinvigorated, elevated by a very witty script and thoroughly entertaining cast. Back on stage for another year - Oh yes they are! - are Stafford favourite Mark Rhodes, as Hilarious Harry, and David Phipps-Davis as Nurse Nora Knickerbocker. Both are on fine form, and having a great time if their stage rapport is anything to go by. 

Panto dame extraordinary Nurse Nora can’t go five minutes without a spectacular costume change - a personal favourite being a whole hive of bees - and David Phipps-Davis gives an impressive display of his vocal talents, even doing a turn as Pavarotti…

Also returning to the Gatehouse is Samantha Spragg as Carabosse, who is deliciously evil. Her ‘goodie’ counterpart is Fairy Flutterby, played by Emily Vinnicombe - both make the most of their belting musical numbers. In fact, the whole company sings brilliantly. Gutsy Princess Beauty (Soleil Quarless) and charming Prince Rufus (Finlay McKillop) have a couple of pitch-perfect duets together, to speed along their ‘falling in love’ process. 

Rounding out the cast are Ian Billings who is a delightfully ditzy King Louis, even cracking out the juggling balls on occasion. By his side is the fearsome Queen Helga, played by Sophie Hirst, when she isn’t joining Matilda Gaughan, Alexander Harry and Danny Prescott-Watts in the excellent, all-singing-all-dancing ensemble. 

There are hilariously original moments throughout - choreographed pensioners, for example - and a healthy dose of chaos, just as a panto should be. Everyone on stage is committed to bringing an extra helping of festive joy to their audiences, including the small but mighty band. Clive Fishlock directs the trio and plays the Keys, with Eric Rupert on Bass, and Aaron O’Sullivan on Drums. The band field quips and asides from their colleagues on stage, from the up-close vantage point in the orchestra pit.

In all, the Gatehouse provides a fantastic festive night out - Sleeping Beauty is the perfect way to see in the Christmas season. 

Five Stars

Sleeping Beauty was reviewed on Thursday 11 December by Jessica Clixby at the Stafford Gatehouse, where it shows until Sunday 4 January