Everybody knows the story of Sleeping Beauty where a young princess is cursed by a wicked fairy to prick her finger on a spinning wheel before sunset on her eighteenth birthday. Well, when Princess Belle is, sort of saved by Fairy Average to only fall asleep for a hundred years and wait on Dame Gerty, Willy Wetlettuce and the French Fairy Nice (it's pronounced nice not nice obviously) to do the time warp into the future to save her... This story is stuffed more than a puppet sidekick with pop culture references and family fun.

There is a true theatrical vision to this show that features interactive projections, an extremely clever lighting trick to create a dragon (you'll have to go to find out), alongside the completely reinvented classic pantomime staples. Sleeping Beauty is the perfect British pantomime. Oh yes it is!

Dame Gerty (Brendan Matthews) is a force of nature, a whirlwind of fabulousness with infinite sass and facial expressions bigger than her womanly features. Willy Wetlettuce (Luke Adamson) is a lovable fool whose hapless charm will melt even the iciest of hearts this winter. Princess Belle (Georgina May Haley) is spellbinding and regal opposite Carabosse (Stefani Ariza), the deliciously evil, with a campy flair, wicked fairy, who will have you booing with glee. Expect show-stopping musical numbers, impressive special effects, and enough audience participation to keep even the most seasoned panto-goer on their toes.

Dressed head to toe in classic panto attire, the larger than life costumes dragged the characters from the Land Of Wishful Thinking into London. Dame Gerty stuns with big, bold gowns while the villainous Carabosse dons the expected Maleficent horns sticking out of a Karen bob... because of course the evil fairy wants to speak to the manager.

Nestled between the bosom of creative geniuses, the set might only be a projection screen and a bench but when used by the right people (and this is) the screen came to life in multiple ways with well timed sound and video queues to create new levels of interaction and even bring UK drag legend That Girl to the stage.

Packed with jokes for all the family there are plenty of laughs for both children and adults alike in this feast of comedy. Director, writer and star Luke Adamson, is inspired. What is most fantastic is Adamson knows exactly when a joke has got all its laughs and then moves on before anything comes close to cringe worthy. Whether tooting his own horn with jokes about flatulence, tongue twisters twirling tumultuously together or filthy jokes in need of a good rubbing clean... The cast glide through every comedic moment and ensure every single joke lands.

This is a delight of the Off West End scene with the innovation and inspiration to elevate the materials at hand, Sleeping Beauty at The Bridge House Theatre is as good as it gets.

This show was reviewed on the 18th December 2024 at The Bridge House Theatre, London where it runs until the 30th December 2024.  Tickets here: Sleeping Beauty – The Bridge House Theatre

Review written by Ryan Lenney

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