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SLEEPING BEAUTY
Ferndown Drama Group
Barrington Theatre
Ferndown
January 2005

SOMETIMES when a production fails to lift off it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why, but in this instance the reasons seemed only too clear. Far too many words, much too little music – although what was there was excellently played by Roy Ellis and Keith Pullen on keyboard and drums – and a general lack of energy. And there seemed to be some unfortunate cost-cutting costume-wise, too.
However, there were lots of plus points, particularly in the characterisations. Richard Harker as Tickles, the Court Jester, had a great rapport with the audience, as did heralds Shout (Paul Marcus) and Bawl (Chris More). And Enid Rothwell, acting almost everyone else off the stage, was evil personified as Carabosse, contrasting well with her kindly ‘sister’, Azuriel (Miranda Ennis).
Adele Edmund and Rebecca Christie gave lovely confident performances as Princess Aurora and Prince Valiant, while Bob Johnson (King Cedric) and Gill Greaves (Queen Semolina) brought a gentle humour to their roles. Stephen James was suitably fussy as the Lord Chamberlain, Chris Allen was an outrageously-dressed Dame and the small chorus smiled throughout. But oh, how I longed for some excitement and fizz to liven up the evening and stop me from surreptitiously clock-watching. It didn’t quite feel like a hundred years, but….

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo


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