Unreliable plot in Belgrade’s panto is hilarious

Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. On until January 5. Box office: 024 7655 3055.

THE Belgrade Theatre’s annual pantomime is a thing of beauty. It is always a stunning visual spectacle with amazing costumes - but also manages a homely feel that is hard to match.

Most of the magic is created by the hard work of the cast – particularly Iain Lauchlan as the Dame – Nanny Knot.

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It is a great story, timeless and traditional with a great topical twist; a time-travelling telephone box and Muddles (Craig Hollinsworth) the Time Lord with the driving licence.

Princess Belles’ (Lindsay Harding) first birthday is going well until her father the King (John Webb) realises that he has forgotten to ask Fairy Carabosse (Katy Stephens) to the shindig. Her curse is a bad one. Belle will prick her finger and die on her 18th birthday. Fairy Fondue hasn’t given her gift yet and ameliorates the nastiness of Carabossue’s gift; they will all sleep for a 100 years – except Belle’s sweetheart Prince Valliant (Morna MacPherson) hence the need for a time machine – to ‘bus’ the prince to her side for the famous kiss.

The fact that it is unreliable is a great excuse for some classic dance routines. They visit the Flintstones in their cave and the Sixties in Swinging London.

The best bit for me was the children on stage – one little chap – Lorcin – couldn’t stand still to save his life and Nanny Knot had her work cut out to stop him falling in the pit.

I was still laughing when I got home – that’s my measure of success. Am I going next year? Oh yes I am …

Jane Howard