Fairy Tale Flair: Sleeping Beauty Gets an ’80s Glow-Up!
This year’s Oxford Playhouse panto Sleeping Beauty will be delighting audiences of all ages from 22 November 2024 to 5 January 2025
Oxford Playhouse Panto Review 2024
Oxford Playhouse raised the roof with this year’s panto Sleeping Beauty. They literally had the audience engaged and entertained before the pantomime even began and it just kept going.
Like the familiar fairytale goes, Princess Aurora was cursed as a baby and years later pricks her finger on a spindle. However, the consequence of pricking her finger isn’t quite what you’d expet and so refreshing to not have her rely on a prince to save her from her fate.
While it was cold, wet and dark outside, Oxford Playhouse was bursting with energy, comedy and retro flair on the stage. Travelling through time 1,000 years to 1985, not only does it have ’80s nostalgia but a refreshing take on a classic fairytale with a twist on the characters too.
The audience were well warmed up before the curtain even rose and the pace keeps everyone engaged from start to finish.
Of course ever great panto must have an amazing dame and Lucy Frederick who plays this year’s Nelly the Nurse stole the show for me. Suggestive, sassy and downright hilarious, watch out men!
Sophia Lewis plays Princess Aurora the Awesome and the clue is in the name! Love the girl power – this is no princess waiting for a prince to save the day and she paired beautifully with love interest Ursual the Unsure performed by Daisy Ann Fletcher. Great vocals together.
The whole cast totally in tune and each holds their own completely. Robin Hemmings returns as villain Walter the Wicked with a great 80s costume, big hair and even bigger evil laugh. When it comes to fairies, forget your standard fluttering being and think Boy George with perfect timing – nailed it!
This year’s Oxford Playhouse panto managed to blend the timeless magic of a fairy tale with the bold colors, laugh out loud hilarity and feel good music of the ’80s.
I wasn’t sure if Sleeping Beauty would be too ‘girly’ for my 12 year old son but we loved it and had such a great afternoon out.
This Sleeping Beauty panto is a shining example of how to breathe fresh life into a classic tale. With its vibrant 1980s twist, it’s a feel-good extravaganza that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a child of the ’80s or discovering its charm for the first time, this production guarantees an evening of laughter, music, and pure panto joy.
Don’t miss it – this is a panto that truly spins magic!
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