A New Write That's a Quite a Delight
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: George Lawton Hall, Mossley
Ticket Price: £13
Worth: £23
I fully admit that I am likely very baised when it comes to reviewing this show. I've been playing trombone for the production, and honestly, I am so delighted that I am lucky enough to be involved in the premiere production.
I had a fantastic time playing in the pit for Jekyll & Hyde with Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre, and the gent playing the titular character(s) on that occasion was Ian Curran. When I was booked to play for Sleeping Beauty, I was delighted to find out that it was his baby - he's written the book and lyrics, alongside Simon Hanson & Peter Vint, who have composed the music.
It's an honest delight to play - one of the only newly written musicals with a well thought-out trombone part, a rarity in itself. Sat in the pit, it's easy to be amazed by the set. It's a phenomenal acheivement; an amateur society with a fully moving set, massive scenery, a rotating forest and magical dresses, cakes and bunting. "Make Believe Come True" boasts magical effects worthy of the West End, and even after 5 shows it never fails to make me smile. Mossley AODS are an incredible society and all deserve several bottles of wine for creating this incredible world of magic and wonder.
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| Hannah Goodwin as Princess Aurora |
The show follows the Disney adaption of the fairytale mostly, with a few changes that actually enhance the story. In this musical, Aurora is 18 and I cannot thank you enough for that - far less creepy! Hannah Goodwin as the titular Sleeping Beauty is a marvel. With a beautifully appropriate voice, gorgeous regal movement and an evident joy that infects the audience, Goodwin is a real-life princess.
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| Jon Crebbin as King Henry |
Admittedly, I have a bit of a penchant for an act 2 power ballad, but no-one could fail to be moved by Jon Crebbin's rendition of "If I Had My Time Again" as King Henry. An emotion-laden performance that has only improved night after night, it is a beautiful song that Crebbin delivers flawlessly and it cannot be praised enough.
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| L-R: Rachel Booth, Lisa Kay and Jordanne Woodward |
The vocal performances of this show are stellar, especially our trio of Fairy Tulip (Rachel Booth), Fairy Willow (Jordanne Woodward) and Queen Catherine (Lisa Kay) who are a delight whenever they sing together, especially in the ever joyous "Make Belive Come True". But these vocals do not overshadow the brilliant choreography.
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| "Better to be Bad" with Leanne Wharf |
In particular, Kieran Lever as Skarp and his "unkindness" of Ravens embodied the animalistic movement of birds perfectly, never once breaking character in their movement. "Better To Be Bad" with Leanne Wharf as Hellisent is the funky villian track that's the perfect palate cleanser to the intrinsic good of our heroine, even featuring her raven spies as her wings!
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| Samuel Reid as Prince Perrault |
Our hero, Samuel Reid as Prince Perrault, has a real vocal workout in this musical, as well as two incredibly well designed fight scenes. The society worked with a stage combat specialist for this show, and you can tell. Whilst often fight scenes can be uncomfortable in duration and appearance, this show breaks the mold with some genuinely thrilling fight sequences. Congratulations to Reid for coping with the physical demands of this show, especially in "Something Worth Fighting For"!
The only reason I've not awarded 5 stars is because of a few issues which plague any amateur show - the occasional slow light change, the fact the smoke from Hellisents lair is so plentiful that you can't always see her/it chokes the pit (cough cough). But fundamentally, you will not see a better production this Christmas. You leave feeling uplifted and full of magic, and that's the point of theatre.