Sleeping Beauty – Trinity Players

Streetly Community Centre

Wednesday 4th December 2024

By : Nigel Gambles

Photography by : Studio 55 Photography

Panto season has arrived and that can only mean one thing, Christmas is around the corner.

This is out first of four pantomimes to cover this year and if they are all as good as this one, it’s going to be Fun Fun Fun and Ho Ho Ho. Trinity Players have never done a pantomime before so this was new territory for them but they have not let that deter them. This is one of the best amateur pantos I have seen in years.

I’m sure everyone knows the story of Sleeping Beauty, beautiful princess cursed by her evil aunt pricks her finger falls asleep for 100 years and only true loves kiss can break the curse, I tell you now there will be no falling asleep during this show.

For me the stars of the show are Muddles played by Bexs Perry and Dame Nurse Nelly played by Richard Mcnally-Reilly their stage presence was huge but more than that their comic timing was exceptional.

Maleficent (Evil Aunt) played by Jenny Marsh and her feathered accomplice Russell Crow played by Cameron Hall (who by just standing there will have you laughing) will certainly bring forth a barrage of Booing again both excellent in their roles.

Sammi Kelly-Griggs as Princess Aurora entertains well with a good stage presence and excellent singing voice.

Full credit must go to the supporting cast and ensemble who all play their parts perfectly and really enjoy their time on stage.

The production team led by director Dan Barnes have certainly put in the work to bring this magical show to stage a massive cheer out for all.

Beauty & The Beast Pantomime – Cloc Musical Theatre Company

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Monday 6th February 2023 – Dress Rehearsal

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Nigel Gambles Photography

Cloc Musical theatre, are back at Sutton Town Hall with their annual pantomime this years offering is Beauty and The Beast.

Not to be confused with the Disney version, the story tells of the love of Belle (Beauty) played wonderfully by Sophia Powers for a Prince (Erin Mooney) who has been transformed into a Beast (Graham Halliday) by a wicked sorceress, scorned by the Prince’s rejection of marriage. If he can find the love of another, without revealing his true identity, before the last rose of summer withers and dies, then only will the spell be broken. Belle, whose father is imprisoned by the Beast, offers herself instead and discovers her captor to be her true love. Set in and around the village of Franglais de la Mer, the pantomime introduces some interesting new characters. Among them are Belle’s too ugly (less glamorous) sisters – Brittany and Whitney played brilliantly by Hannah Muxlow and Charlene Walker- both greedy for cash and completely bent on improving their looks. To help them – Marcel and Monique – joint owners of the local beauty salon where all sorts of fun and frolics take place when the sisters turn up for their weekly therapy I have say at this point that for me Hannah playing Brittany stole every scene she was in.

The show is filled with some great toe tapping songs and plenty of audience participation. This crazy comedy is just what is needed to cheer you up on these dark winter days.