SLEEPING BEAUTY PANTOMIME: Huddersfield Panto is back at Lawrence Batley Theatre

All the fun you could wish for this Christmas, as Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield presents its magical family pantomime Sleeping Beauty.

Go on a magical adventure with their new pantomime Sleeping Beauty!

In a castle high above Huddersfield, a wicked fairy has cursed Princess Aurora to sleep for 100 years. With the Princess watched over by her nursemaid, a kind fairy sets out to find a hero who can break the spell, but who will be the one to rescue our Princess?

Spun together by director Joyce Branagh and playwright Andrew Pollard the creative team behind the hugely successful Aladdin, Jack & the Beanstalk and Cinderella, expect thigh slapping, toe tapping, rib cracking fun from this year’s family show. Bursting with spectacular costumes, hit songs, audience participation (and in true panto tradition) it’s shaping up to be Huddersfield’s biggest pantomime yet.  (Oh, yes it is!)

Henry Filloux-Bennett, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the LBT, said:  “Having seen last year’s panto I am incredibly excited about SLEEPING BEAUTY – it’s my first pantomime since joining the Lawrence Batley Theatre and I am really looking forward to seeing packed houses full of families enjoying a fabulous, festive show full of magic and fun, throughout the run.”

 “We are delighted to welcome back Joyce and Andrew, the creative force behind some of the best pantomimes across the UK and we are very excited to see what magic they have created, together with our talented cast, for Sleeping Beauty.  I’ve heard so much about our audiences’ fantastic reaction to previous productions and this production looks set to build and excel upon their previous triumphs.”

 SLEEPING BEAUTY brings together faces old and new for this fantastic production.  Robin Simpson (Aladdin, Jack & The Beanstalk) makes a welcome return as Nanny Fanny.  Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty),will be played by talented local actor and LBT favourite,Alyce Liburd (Aladdinand Unsung).  She will be wooed by handsome Sebastian Prince, ably portrayed by Thomas Cotran (Aladdin, Jack & The Beanstalk).  Also making a welcome return is Nicola Jayne Ingram (Aladdin,A Tiger’s Tale) as Hester the JesterandRichard Hand (Aladdin,The Ruck, Cinderella) returns in the role of King Herbert the Hesitant.  Gamely stepping in at the last minute, LBT is thrilled to welcome Esther-Grace Buttonas the fabulous Fairy Falalala -la-la-la-la-la, (The Sand House, Beauty & The Beast, Jack & The Beanstalk, Sleeping Beautyfor CAST).  Making her LBT debut isHayley Russell (Vampires Rock(UK Theatre and Arena Tour)); and The Meat Loaf Story (UK Tour)as Belladonna Bile.  Hayley is also a professional singer and has worked all over the world on cruise ships for over 17 years, supporting artists such as Billy Ocean and Gareth Gates and even had the pleasure of performing for Oasis front man Liam Gallagher.   The professional cast are supported by a company of talented young performers, aged between 9 – 17 years old, from across Kirklees.

Director, Joyce Branagh, says: “We’re very excited about Sleeping Beauty and audiences can expect to be wowed by the cast, gorgeous sets, and amazing choreography bringing to life Andrew’s cracking, comical script.  Expect rousing songs, outrageous outfits and hilarious antics from the team. 

 “It’s a privilege to work with such a talented bunch and we’ve brought back some audience favourites as well as some new faces to the exceptional cast!  We have something special on order for families to enjoy and we can guarantee a great Christmas outing at LBT.”

Joyce Branagh has been a professional director and writer since 1995 working with theatres across the UK and Ireland including Watford Palace Theatre and Salisbury Playhouse, where she has directed panto as well as productions at the Orange Tree Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Oldham Coliseum. Based in Yorkshire, her recent stage credits include Twelfth Night (Shakespeare Rose Theatre), Boomtown Gals (winner of Manchester Theatre Awards best performance) and The Ruck. She lives in West Yorkshire, has written four pantomimes and is the co-author of the book Creating Pantomime.

Playwright and actor Andrew Pollard specialises in writing pantomimes and for families; he regularly writes, directs and appears as the Dame in Greenwich Theatre’s pantomime, where he is performing this Christmas in Robin Hood. He played Phileas Fog in the national tour of Around The World in 80 Days and previous credits includes working with Northern Broadsides, New Vic Theatre and in 2007, regularly appearing as John Bune in Emmerdale.

Since producing its first pantomime four years ago, Lawrence Batley Theatre is becoming firmly established as one of the top destinations to enjoy a traditional family panto in Yorkshire.

Tickets for SLEEPING BEAUTY are now on sale and are priced from £12.50.  A family saver of four tickets for £65 is also offered (conditions apply). To buy tickets contact the Lawrence Batley Theatre’s Box Office on 01484 430528 or online at www.thelbt.org.

 

Produced by Lawrence Batley Theatre; Director: Joyce Branagh; Writer: Andrew Pollard.