Sleeping Beauty at the Grove Theatre Dunstable Review

Reviewed by Dorothy White

We had an amazing night at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable last night watching this year’s Christmas panto, Sleeping Beauty. An excellent spellbinding show and a really fun night, it is really well worth seeing!

John Partridge stood out. He played the part of Prince Charming so well and turned out to be a fabulous singer, we had no idea! Together with Jemma Carlisle as Beauty they made a great couple and harmonised perfectly together.

Sally Lindsay was a convincing wicked Carabosse, with Rebecca Keatley as the beautiful and kind Fairy Moonbeam who tried her best to counteract Carabosse’s evil deeds.

Ian Jones as Jangles, together with Will Kenning as Nurse Nellie were so funny, they performed a hilarious bathroom scene together.

Ieuan Rhys managed to include his Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlll as King Cuthbert and was a convincing father to Beauty, he did everything in his power to protect her.

All the villagers were excellent, but OJ Budak stood out for my granddaughter when the villagers danced, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

The whole cast were really excellent. The acting and singing was first class, as was the dancing. They all gelled really well together to produce a brilliant pantomime, supported of course by the usual team of young local dancers.

The scenery and sound effects were really good, but I loved Carabosse’s fearsome dragon… such a scary creature breathing fire.

The orchestra interacted so well with the performers, especially the guitarist, their sound levels were just right, and they did not overpower anyone singing which sometimes happens.

This was Evolution Productions first pantomime at the Grove Theatre, with Paul Hendy and Emily Wood as the producers.

An amazing family pantomime and well worth booking tickets to see it if you have not already done so.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £15 to £25 (booking fees may apply).

Sleeping Beauty is at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable from 8 December 2017 to 2 January 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01582 602080.

Grove Theatre, Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4GP | 01582 602080