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Comic joy throughout. This Sleeping Beauty has to be the finest panto from PMA Productions so far. It is faithful to pantomime’s narrative tradition and to the performance style needed in this unique theatre, yet shining with new ideas. Tap dancing penguins? Well, why not? This reviewer has long wanted to see some in a panto.

David Luke (The Prince), Janine Pardo (Princess Aurora) and local dancers from the Heritage School of Dance in Stockton, taking part in Sleeping Beauty at the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, North Yorkshire Photo: Peter Dixon

George Critchley has given each character added colour and eccentricity. Not one of them is serving as a mere function in the story. James Lavender’s splendid Lord Chamberpot, as an example, is jolly posh and he secretly fancies Beauty.

The magnificent Fiona Egan teases and torments as a Carabosse straight from the best story book. Scott Worsfold is playing D ame for the first time and that is difficult to believe. He employs the entire armoury of the classic Dame and then some.
The Simple Simon of Gavin Coles has immediate visual impact and he and Worsfold are a partnership to nurture.

Never a dull moment, but this panto is not played with the frantic button pressed. Everyone on stage gets a good share of the laughs and the dancing is close to outstanding. The penguins? Absolutely excellent, as were the tap-dancing polar bears.

By Kevin Berry. Published Monday 15 December 2008

The Stage