THE SLEEPING BEAUTIES | STAGE REVIEW
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff, Wed 11 Dec
In this unique take on a fairytale classic, you can enjoy strong characters, cute snaps of humour and a splash of music. Forget cheesy, tacky or panto, this is an elegant production with the perfect mix of an absorbing storyline and spot-on staging.
The story is based on the original tale of Sleeping Beauty but is not without clever twists and surprises. Not one but two young beauties are thrust into the hands of evil magic and cursed to sleep for a 1000 years. We follow as they encounter a new, strange world, in what is less a tale of true love than one of friendship, power and change.
Although at times the narrative is a little difficult to grasp, the magic and fun in the play is definitely most suited to the younger audience. Yet, us older lot can still have a ball, as the production hosts some pretty striking scenes and is partial to a few cheeky innuendos.
The star of the show is without a doubt Lisa Jên Brown, who gives a powerful performance of her character, the Fertility Wife, pulling the narration along through speech and song. And it is during the second half that the play really comes into its own, through an array of futuristic, creepy characters and costumes.
words HANNAH RICHARDS
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff, Fri 6 Dec – Sat 4 Jan. Tickets: £15-£25. Info: 029 2064 6900 / www.shermancymru.co.uk