Fall under our spell this Christmas as Lighthouse announces the pantomime of our dreams – Sleeping Beauty.
From the same team that brought the house down with Aladdin last year and the UK Panto Awards Best Pantomime-nominated Cinderella in 2022, Sleeping Beauty will be written and directed by CBeebies star and Lighthouse favourite Chris Jarvis.
“It’s a real thrill to be coming back to Poole with a classic fairytale that’s filled with fun and magic the whole family will love,” says Chris.
Sleeping Beauty follows the traditional story about the beautiful Princess Rose who, at her christening, is cursed by Carabosse the bad fairy to prick her finger on a spinning wheel before her 18th birthday and drop down dead. That horrible spell is changed by fairy godmother Sunbeam so that if Rose pricks her finger on a spinning wheel, she will fall asleep for 100 years unless kissed by a handsome prince.
Rose is sent to live on Brownsea Island only returning to the castle on the eve of her 18th birthday when the curse will expire, but Carabosse has a terrible plan to spoil the day…
As the story unfolds we meet the bumbling King, the zany Nanny Nutkins, and court jester Happy Harry, who’s actually the most sensible of them all.
“The Poole audience is so warm and generous, and every year the challenge is to top the year before, so we’ll make sure we’ve got all the traditional feel-good panto fun with loads of jokes and plenty of local references,” says Chris.
Also returning to Lighthouse are Poole-based Production Designer James Smith and Choreographer Daniel Donaldson Todd.
“We’re so excited to be planning the show already,” adds Chris. “Sleeping Beauty will be a real spectacle with great movement, incredible lights and brilliant music that mixes hits and classic disco – a real feast for the eyes and ears.
“All of which is key to the Poole pantomime, but the story is really important as well, particularly with Sleeping Beauty because you have to have a real baddie in Carabosse, a determined Prince and a Princess who is never a victim. It’s going to be so much fun.”
Casting announcements will follow in the coming months.
Tickets for Sleeping Beauty are available now at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/ or on 01202 280000.
(NC)