The New Theatre panto is on the Buzz calendar well before the cast and show is announced. It’s an annual pilgrimage, the official start to Christmas, and this year it’s Sleeping Beauty.
Gethin Jones stars as Prince Gethin of Gabalfa, Owain Wyn Evans (of weatherman and drumming fame) is the spirit of pantomime and Cardiff panto stalwart Mike Doyle is Nurse Nellie. As Carabosse the sorceress, Jalisa Phoenix Roberts truly channels her inner Shirley Bassey, and we can’t forget Emma Kirk’s Princess Aurora.
The ensemble cast are energetic and on top form throughout numerous costume changes and high-energy dance numbers. The audience were practically fizzing with anticipation as the curtain raised – for many ladies present, the prospect of seeing Jones in tights was the undoubted catalyst – and, in due course, lots of practiced booing from the kids. The set was brilliant, opening with Carabosse’s curse and outlining the scene for the journey ahead in doing so.
On this, his second foray into panto land after 2024’s Cinderella here, Jones fully embraced Prince Gethin, throwing himself with gusto into the singing and dancing. This panto got a contemporary pop injection, too – an upbeat, singalong version of Apt. by Rosé & Bruno Mars was fun, and Benson Boone’s Mystical Magical proved a perfect choice, with audience and cast alike loving it to the point of full-on chair-dancing.
The New Theatre always creates a magical setting for Christmas, and Sleeping Beauty upped the ante: great surprise set-pieces, a fun cast and laughs aplenty throughout – for both kids and adults, it should be noted. Expect to leave feeling warm, fuzzy and full of Christmas cheer, having spent a couple of hours lost in a magical world. Sleeping Beauty delivers with sparkles on top.
Sleeping Beauty, New Theatre, Cardiff, Wed 10 Dec
On until Sun 4 Jan. Tickets: £21-£52. Info: here
words ANTONIA LEVAY
