Showing @ King’s Theatre, Glasgow until Sun 8 Jan
At this time of year we’re more likely to be awoken from our slumber by a pounding headache and flashbacks of a booze-fuelled shindig than a handsome prince from Jordan Hill. But, in Glasgow, Princess Beauty’s hangover is mild and after a one hundred year snooze, her prince is ready and waiting. As are the punters at Glasgow King’s. Packed with more headliners than ever with Karen Dunbar as the royal nanny; Gregory’s Girl Clare Grogan as the purple rag-clad, steely-faced Carabosse; Tony Roper as her cunning, love-struck henchman and; let’s not forget Any Dream Will Do runner-up Keith Jack as Beauty’s charming Prince.
Sadly, too many Michelin star chefs ruin this Scotch broth leaving this Sleeping Beauty lacking direction and punch. Dunbar is suitably rubber-faced as the ‘morbidity’-scooter-driving nanny and yet lacks any real imagination or energy as the dame. While the late great Gerard Kelly’s role as the court jester is undoubtedly a difficult act to follow; where Gavin Mitchell excelled last year, Arron Usher fumbles through, failing to spark up any real connection with his audience. Nevertheless, Eric Potts’ script is packed with the usual local references which guarantee a laugh from the King’s loyal and Roper’s turn as Hector the evil henchman provides this show with a touch of much needed panto class.