Review by Marilyn Barber

Highcliffe Charity Players could have set a benchmark for future pantos.

At just 80 minutes running time, Sleeping Beauty which runs until 30 January is a tight production fizzing with joy and colour – and without the scenes which are often inserted into pantos to pad them out to two hours.

Written by Tom Whalley, the group decided that in the light of the pandemic it was wise to err on the side of caution and to stage a one-act panto with a shorter run.

In addition, the very professional programme is only available online.

Directed by Matthew Smith, catchy songs are backed by musical director Stuart Darling, with some splendid choreography by Tilly Ingle.

Every member of the six-strong cast puts in a stellar performance and all deserve a mention.

Emma Barrington provides lively characterisation as the good Fairy Nuff, contrasting well with Stanley Smith in the highest of heels and with a good deal of menace as the baddie Carabosse.

Princess Beauty (Georgina Carter) is just that with a clear singing voice which complements that of the handsome Prince Philip the First (Bee Chumley).

Duncan Reid just bounces onto the stage as the ‘children’s friend’ Chester the Jester, and he continues to bounce throughout the production with a huge amount of energy. And it was inspired to get the audience to sing along periodically with Happy by Pharrell Williams as it involves both adults and children in the audience.

Paul Barrington makes the most of the part of Queen Camilla Parker-Bike, putting in a few ad libs plus plenty of ‘nod nod winks’ as he delivers innuendos to the adult members of the audience.

The dragon propelled by three actors – Laura Lock, Matt Morrell and Charlotte Starr – and with the voice of Pete Whittaker, had to be one of the biggest to hit the panto stage.

Although the main cast is small by panto standards, it is boosted by eleven very talented dancers and singers – Jess Barras. Sarah Jane Busk, Abbi Clark, Ellie Down, Laura Lock, Matt Morrell, Elle Paskins, Charlotte Starr, Isabella Travers, Ellie Tripp and Issy Whitlock.

And it does have a different ending to previous Sleeping Beauty pantos!

Both my companion and I have seen many, many pantos over the years, but we both agreed that this is one of the best on many levels.