Magical tale awakened

The organisers of this year’s pantomime at the Palace Theatre, Newark, promise it will be a dream of a show.

Sleeping Beauty, presented by Paul Holman Associates, was launched in the grounds of Newark Castle on Tuesday afternoon.

Producer Paul Holman said: “This is our fourth pantomime at the Palace and we are glad to be back. This year the classic fairytale, Sleeping Beauty, will be enchanting audiences as the battle of good over evil is brought to life in the shape of the evil fairy, Carabosse, who puts a spell on Princess Aurora and threatens to end her life.

“The Lilac Fairy’s magical powers ensure that the princess lives, but not before she pricks her finger and everyone in the kingdom falls asleep for 100 years.”

Paul said there would be no danger of audiences falling asleep during the production, which runs from December 9 until January 3.

He said: “There is a lot more emphasis on audience participation and traditional slapstick.

“There will be an added visual delight because we are introducing laser lights, giving the show a more modern feel.

“There will be lots of singing and dancing, with modern songs, colourful costumes and sumptuous sets.”

Vicki Michelle, of ‘Allo, ‘Allo fame, stars as the evil fairy, Carabosse, while pianist Bobby Crush plays the dame. Andrew Haynes, of Nottingham returns for his second year, this time as the King.

Also in the cast are Mike Newman Jnr as Muddles, Lauren Adams as the Lilac Fairy, Drew Miller as the Prince and Jane Augustine as Princess Aurora.

The show will feature children and dancers from The Tozer Studios, Southwell.

It will be directed by Peter Dayson, choreographed by Mitch Rumin with Lawrence Knight as musical director.

Vicki Michelle said she loved playing the baddie because she could really get her teeth into the role.

She was pleased to follow in the footsteps of Kim Hartman, Jeffrey Holland and Judy Buxton, who had appeared at the Palace in pantomime.

Vicki said: “I like being evil because I am often seen as very nice and so it gives me a chance to be vile and be booed a lot by the audience — even at the end of the show.

“This is my first time in Newark and I am really looking forward to it.”

Next year there are plans for Vicki to star in a musical for Ray Cooney called Stop Dreaming and the comedy, Run For Your Wife.

Bobby Crush said: “This is my first pantomime in Newark, although I have been doing them since 1973. In those days I used to play principal boy roles such as Aladdin and the prince.

“I have been playing the Dame since 2000 as I realised I could not continue playing young leads and the first year Danny La Rue let me borrow some of his costumes.

“In Sleeping Beauty I have ten costume changes, which will keep me on my toes. I play my dames very mumsy but aspirational and talk a bit faux pas.

“During the show I do get to play the piano and will perform a rock ‘n’ roll medley that ties in with the storyline.”

Bobby said he had just got back from New Zealand having toured his one-man show called Liberace Live From Heaven.