SLEEPING BEAUTY. Two-Act Musical. Directed by Faeron Wheeler. Musical Director: Tersia Harley. Choreographer: Stephanie McCulloch. Lighting/Sound: Gary Fargher. Set: Richard Higgs. Presented by the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg.
SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews
What a pleasure to arrive at the Masque Theatre on Thursday evening, to find an attractively decorated foyer buzzing with gayly dressed patrons, chatting amiably, sipping refreshments, or nibbling tasty morsels.
Covid regulations all but dimmed this charming little theatre’s lights – many feared forever. But, as ‘forever’ proved too depressing a thought for a group of AmDram enthusiasts, they garnered a band of equally enthusiastic young people, to resurrect this invaluable, extension of peoples’ lives. Simultaneously rejuvenating this historical space.
But first … a script.
Four-centuries old story
The first version of Sleeping Beauty dates back to Giambuttisa Basile’s 1634 Pentamerone. Charles Perrault’s 1697 version, is the one Petipa used for his famous 1890 classical ballet, La Belle au Bois Dormant.
Faeron Wheeler has reworked this well-loved fairy tale into a ‘today’ musical retaining the essence of this four-centuries old story, excepting a few name changes.
She names her colourfully costumed, agile, good fairies Luna (Tithonia Roux), Twi (Claire Thomson) and Sola (Rufaro Mvududu). Green lighting, lightening flashes, eerie music, and nasty worded songs heralded the spiteful fairy Maleficent (Kim Mortimer). Heavy, black eye-makeup, and a Brunhilde-like horned headdress topping a sexy black outfit, added much to Mortimer’s characterisation.
Her spite stems from not having her name on King Cactus (Wayne Ronné) and Queen Marigold’s (Tanya Smith) guest list to attend baby Aurora’s christening, To indicate her power and wrath Maleficent lays the curse of death, by a paper cut, on Princess Aurora (Karla Britz), on her 21st birthday.
All you need is LOVE
Without a traditional Lilac Fairy to undo Maleficent’s curse, Luna, Twi and Sola must find a way to prevent Aurora’s death. First, kilted King Cactus, declares only Kindles to be used for reading matter – no paperbacks.
Then the good fairy trio alter Maleficent’s curse of death to one of sleep for which she can only be aroused by a kiss of love. Not just a handsome Prince’s kiss. But by LOVE.
Jumping time, the charming, sweet voiced Britz and her friends, are joyously celebrating her 21st birthday when Maleficent entices Aurora to fulfil her curse.
Led by the three good fairies, Wheeler’s two-act musical takes the audience through a series of scenes, searching for the LOVE that could wake Princess Aurora from her long sleep.
Backed by an energetic singing and dancing crew drawn from various age groups, Stephanie McCulloch tapered her choreography to match their technical abilities. Just a shame wobbling sound spoilt several good songs. I would also have preferred costumes to be less of a ‘mix’ and in brighter colours.
From (invisible) back stage squads, to the jolly dancing chorus, everyone pulled their weight. A request. Can we see more of the talented Shaun Klaasen as Prince James and Karla Britz as Princess Aurora? They have much to offer the AmDram scene.
What: The Sleeping Beauty
Where and when: Masque Theatre Muizenberg from 8 to 23 December 2022, and 5 to 15 January 2023
Tickets: Quicket
WS
