Oh to be a kid again! And to be a kid nowadays! There was no such thing as the annual winter holiday pantomime when I was at school. I remember watching my mum and dad get all dressed up to go to the theatre, leaving us at home with a babysitter and a video tape. It seemed like such a fantastic, sophisticated world that I would never know of. I dreamed of The Opera House, The Capitol, The State, without really having any idea what went on inside those hallowed walls. Now, due to the success of Cinderella, Snow White, Aladdin, and Peter Pan & Tinkerbell, it has become a winter school holiday tradition for parents to take their young children along to the State Theatre for a live show designed specifically for them.
English born Bonnie Lythgoe is the beaming creator of this whole idea. After decades of involvement in the performing arts as a dancer and choreographer for film and TV, Lythgoe turned her hand to the production and direction of fairy tale adventure pantomimes several years ago. She has enlisted the talent of some big name stars from the world of “serious” theatre (meaning for adults) and has almost formed a new genre of live show, one that, like some of the great Disney Pixar films of the last decade, manages to cross the age barrier and reach both the parent and the child. Sleeping Beauty, A Knight Avenger’s Tale is pitched to ages three to 103.
We all know the story, and in this stage version not much of the plot has been changed, other than the minor tweak of making Princess Aurora 21 instead of 16, thus making the whole wedding at the end more palatable for a modern audience and saving parents from worrying about their little girl aspiring to be a teenage bride. This show is not so much about the drama as the gags and musical numbers. There is a lot of engagement and interaction between the actors and the audience. Children absolutely love the opportunity to shout “Booo!” at the top of their lungs every time they see a baddie. Highlights include the comedic routines of the tongue twister, the “Who’s on first” take, the classroom scene and the “Twelfth Day of Winter” round.
English born comedian, actor and musician Kev Orkian in his role as Silly Billy is my pick as stand-out performer. Orkian’s sense of comedic timing is spot on, his facial expressions, gestures and movements, together with his accent, are crack-up funny, and he is lovable to boot. The kids in the audience relate to him and get his jokes, albeit on one level and the adults on another. Although the show as a whole is pitched to children, there is a lot of nuance and many moments in there specifically to keep the parents and grandparents entertained, without ever being naughty or risqué.
Australian TV and theatre favourite Rhonda Burchmore is ideally cast as the wicked fairy Godmother Carabosse. Although some of the very little ones claim to be scared of her, in reality they squeal with delight every time she appears, so it seems they have a taste for the thrill. Burchmore, who was in 2014 awarded an Order of Australia for her service to the performing arts, brings an interesting flavour of drag-style glam to the role, relishing her moments in the spotlight and literally flying high.
Embla Bishop as Princess Aurora sends shivers down the spine with her clear and powerful vocals. After this debut performance, she will surely be seen again and again on the Australian stage.
The production is flush with intertextual references and cultural appropriation. Older members of the audience will appreciate the hit songs of Cher, Tina Arena and Bananarama. On the more high culture end of the scale, those who know their Gilbert and Sullivan will feel chuffed to recognise a Mary Poppinified Pirates of Penzance number.
All in all, Sleeping Beauty, A Knight Avenger’s Tale is a lot of fun and highly recommended, whether you have kids or not. But if you do, it is a must-see. What a wonderful thing it is to develop a love for the live performing arts in the next generation while they are still so young. And if nothing else, it has to be good to get them off the couch, away from their devices and screens. This is a way to educate and edify the little darlings, without them feeling like they’re at school during their holidays.
Sleeping Beauty, A Knight Avenger’s Tale is showing at the State Theatre Sydney until 22 July.
Pics by Ben Apfelbaum.