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This was my second visit to Nailsea Musicals and I was very much looking forward to their production of Sleeping Beauty. You have a lovely spacious hall and a good stage to work from. For this matinee performance it was evident you would be entertaining to a full house.
There are many versions of this well-known pantomime although I wasn’t convinced this to be one of the funniest. I did not feel the audience interacted well on occasions and I believe one reason behind this may have been the ‘Masters of Music’.
When we enter a hall or theatre we should immediately be transported to the world of pantomime even before the show begins. Background music creates a nice atmosphere. We had complete silence. When the band entered we longed for a ‘warm up’, something we could perhaps start clapping along too but instead had total silence. The show had actually started before we had any music at all! Warming up an audience is a crucial factor to any pantomime production. You then have us on your side immediately.
The casting of any production can present challenges but you had no difficulty here. It was clear to me that you all work as a team and having had the rare opportunity to meet some of the cast after the show I thought what a friendly troupe you all were. Your adjudication report will give you an in-depth account on characterisation but here are just a few performers I would like to mention.
Emma Gregory’s Princess Snowdrop gave us a charming characterisation and a pleasing stage presence. You defined your character with ease and related convincingly with the other principals.
The King and Queen of Hearts played by Martin Elford and Gayle Edmonds were ideally suited. You both moved with a lovely gait helping make your characters regal.
Ian Perry’s Marigold Gloves gave us a likeable character but you needed a much bigger build up on your entrance. This I felt was another opportunity missed by your band.
I must say your dresses were absolutely astounding – the best society made Dames costumes I have seen on the circuit this season. It was a pity you had to wear ladies heeled shoes though. This gave a feminine impression. Always stick with boots or a nice pair of coloured Doc Martens.
Andy Johnson’s Andy Gloves gave us another likeable character but as linkman you needed to build up a stronger rapport with your audience. A running gag routine would have added visual appeal to your comedy role.
You certainly had some upbeat numbers in this show and just the right amount too. The Ballroom Blitz was very impressive indeed and a great opening for Act 2.
The Ensemble and Junior Ensemble all worked extremely hard and it was clear that the audience thoroughly appreciated your performance. Gosh, what a team of juniors you have and all played their parts well. I enjoyed the antics and movements of Lucy Trumps Baskerville too.
All sets were relatively simple and changed effortlessly by the black gang team. However, music during these changes was again required to take away those deadly hushes. All lighting was used creatively throughout the performance.
This was a colourful production and the walk down looked very regal indeed.
There were many smiling faces when I left this venue. It was clear that Nailsea Musicals had entertained their town yet again.
Thank you for your hospitality.
Nigel Ford
Moderator SFD