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Sleeping Beauty sparkles at the Belgrade

  • Writer: Margaret Mather
    Margaret Mather
  • 10 minutes ago
  • 2 min read
Iain Lauchlan as Nanny Fanny McWheeze and Craig Hollingsworth as Muddles the Jester. Photo by Nicola Young Photography.
Iain Lauchlan as Nanny Fanny McWheeze and Craig Hollingsworth as Muddles the Jester. Photo by Nicola Young Photography.

Sleeping Beauty, written and directed by Iain Lauchlan at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from 19 November to 3 January 2026.

Review by Margaret Mather

 

Wow! What a panto this is. Sparkle, humour, wonderful characters and... a fire-breathing dragon, it’s got the lot in abundance.


This pantomime is the must-see show of the season. It’s full of energy, colour, endless jokes, and lots of crowd participation. What a magnificent production by everyone involved.


The show opens with celebrations for the baby Princess Belle. The Queen, played by Mia King-Harmes, has invited all and sundry to the castle for the party, except for Carabosse, the wicked fairy, played by Wendi Harriott, and she is not happy.


Mia King-Harmes as Queen Hyacinth. Photo by Nicola Young Photography.
Mia King-Harmes as Queen Hyacinth. Photo by Nicola Young Photography.

Showing her displeasure by casting a spell on baby Belle, she promises that when Belle reaches the age of 18 she will die by pricking her finger on a spinning wheel. In steps Azurial the good fairy, played by Aonghas Ewen, managing to save the day by adjusting the curse. Princess Belle, played by Mia King-Harmes, must sleep for a hundred years and can only be awoken by a kiss from a prince.


There after follows mayhem and frivolity. Iain Lauchlan plays a magnificent Nanny Fanny McWheeze. His costumes are over-the-top funny. Children and adults alike were laughing and crying for more.


Craig Hollingsworth plays Muddles the Jester, he’s full of fun and shines in this role. Grumbleweed, played by Andy Hockley, is outstanding in his role as a gnome and sidekick to Carabosse. Prince Valliant, played by Emily Rayner, manages to awaken Princess Belle with a kiss. The King, played by Arif Javid, throws an elaborate celebration, and all live happily ever after.


Andy Hockley as Grumbleweed and Wendi Harriott as Carabosse. Photo by Nicola Young Photography.
Andy Hockley as Grumbleweed and Wendi Harriott as Carabosse. Photo by Nicola Young Photography.

Everyone in this show played their parts to perfection. It was a magical experience with everything you would expect from a top class pantomime. The sets were truly amazing. Water pistols were fired with great abandon, toilet rolls thrown into the crowd, plenty of boos at the wicked fairy, and lots of ‘behind you’ shouted at the cast.

This was an uplifting evening of fun for everyone.


For more information contact the box office on 02476553055 or online:  https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/sleeping-beauty/


 

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