This month’s Brighton Family Panto was always going to be the most important one ever for David Hill.
As co-writer and producer, David lost his Dame when the phenomenal Jason Sutton, aka Miss Jason, died in April.
Jason had already been cast as Dame Nurse Nelly for Sleeping Beauty – so for David, there was no choice but to step in and take the role.
And David absolutely steals the show with his hilarious, colourful and imaginative performance as the joyful Nurse, including 12 amazing costume changes.
By the end of the opening night at the Jason Sutton Theatre at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole, the 600-strong audience were standing, cheering, singing and clapping furiously.
And that’s how traditional panto should be – oh yes, it should.
David’s real craft is interacting with the audience, and he does this in a light-hearted and amusing way.
This is indeed real traditional panto – the timeless fairytale telling the story of Princess Aurora, who on the day of her christening is cursed by the wicked fairy to prick her finger on a spindle and fall into a deep sleep.
Only true love’s kiss can break the spell, but will the Prince arrive in time to awaken our slumbering Princess?
There’s an art to being wicked, but there’s also an art to being wicked and the booing and hissing audience actually enjoying your performance.
That’s exactly what BBC Radio Sussex‘s Allison Ferns achieves, putting in a very passionate and effective performance as the wicked Caribosse. That’s the most confident I have seen her in panto, she does play a great villain!
There’s all the classics – including He’s Behind You and The Twelve Days of Christmas – and it’s real family entertainment.
Ellie Earl plays Sleeping Beauty, Ethan Makey is Chester the Jester, and Samuel Levene is the handsome Prince Phillip.
Brighton’s very own Sharon Starr is Fairy Fabulous, and the cast come together for what is a fabulous panto.
Sleeping Beauty is now open on Brighton seafront at the Jason Sutton Theatre at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole, running until December 30.
To book tickets, go to Sleeping Beauty – The Panto of your Dreams | Eventbrite
You can also email hello@brightonfamilypanto.com or call 01273 021259. The Box Office is open 10am – 6pm weekdays.
Review by Andy Thomas