Wiltshire

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-1.jpg" alt="Sleeping Beauty " class="wp-image-35334" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Pamela Raith</figcaption></figure>



The panto at Salisbury Playhouse is a massive festive highlight here at Muddy Wiltshire. After all, what better way to celebrate the season than a healthy dollop of slapstick, a sprinkling of magic and some seriously toe-tapping tunes? Salisbury’s mighty theatre has showcased some stellar productions over the past year (with more in the pipeline), and this all-singing, all-dancing production makes for the perfect season finale.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-9.jpg" alt="Sleeping Beauty " class="wp-image-35327" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-9.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-9-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Pamela Raith</figcaption></figure>



Written by Plested, Brown &amp; Wilsher and directed by Ryan McBryde, Sleeping Beauty is frothing with eye-popping costumes, BIG voices and whole lotta laugh-out-loud moments. Your leading lady is Princess Eliza [Lottie Mae O’Kill], who is cursed as a baby by the evil Fairy Badflix. In a bid to save the precious princess, she is hastily moved out of Wardour Castle and dispatched to a farm in Salisburyshire, where she grows up under the watchful eye of Nanny Fanny Adams.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-6.jpg" alt="Sleeping Beauty " class="wp-image-35330" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-6-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Pamela Raith</figcaption></figure>



Throughout the panto, good and evil battle it out in the form of the fabulous Fairy Frappuccino [Claudia Kariuki] and Fairy Badflix [Natasha O’Brien]. While the former is a coffee-quaffing bundle of fun, the latter is a deliciously malevolent TV addict, who wants nothing more than to see Princess Stella meet a sticky end. Wielding a gigantic TV remote wand and a knock-out voice, O’Brien proves an absolute powerhouse on the stage. And in true panto style, one of the show’s highlights has to be the dramatic fairy face-off, complete with pitch-perfect vocals on both sides.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-8.jpg" alt="Sleeping Beauty " class="wp-image-35328" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-8.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-8-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Pamela Raith</figcaption></figure>



Hats-off to the entire cast for their stellar performances, but a special mention has to go to <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/muddy-meets-panto-dame-scotty-armstrong-salisbury-playhouse-sleeping-beauty-pantomime-near-me-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scotty Armstrong</a>, who totally commands the stage as the larger-than-life Nanny Fanny Adams. A towering vision in blue, Scotty explodes into action and deftly whips the audience into a gleeful chorus of ‘nice to see you, Fanny.’ Likewise, Lottie Mae O’Kill is a brilliantly loveable Princess Stella, showing both bravery and innocence.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-7.jpg" alt="Sleeping Beauty " class="wp-image-35329" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-7.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-7-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Pamela Raith</figcaption></figure>



Of course, panto wouldn’t be panto without a little smut, and here Sleeping Beauty gets top marks. From burps to bottoms and even the odd bush, there&#8217;s lashings of comedy and innuendo throughout the show. There’s a healthy smattering of slapstick too, including a good old soaking. In fact, the laugh-out-loud moments come thick and fast, with plenty pitched at both the young and old. The kids were in stitches with the audience participation too, and even the grinchiest teenagers couldn’t resist a chuckle.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-12.jpg" alt="Sleeping Beauty " class="wp-image-35323" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-12.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-12-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Pamela Raith</figcaption></figure>



Sleeping Beauty’s set is slick, and a pure visual delight – think an explosion of light, colour and some seriously sparkly razzle dazzle. Hats off to the live band too, while the outlandish costumes are an absolute highlight. Ever seen someone dressed as a giant Victoria sponge or a massive coffee cup? Nor had we but, trust us, these are masterpieces.



Once again, Wiltshire Creative and the team have waved their magic wand and created a high tempo night to remember. Does love conquer all for Stella? Bag your tickets pronto to find out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT </h2>



Good for: Anyone looking for a good giggle, loads of silliness and some seriously great singing. We defy you not to come out grinning from ear to ear.



Not for: Kids under the age of four. With a run time of 150 minutes, they might get twitchy. 



Sleeping Beauty is at Salisbury Playhouse until Sunday 12 January. Tickets from £18, book <a href="https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/sleeping-beauty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

Review: Sleeping Beauty at Salisbury Playhouse

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