What did we think of Sleeping Beauty at the Ipswich Regent?

Four of us from the Ipswich Star went along to the first night performance on Friday, expecting an evening of feel-good family entertainment.  

This year’s cast was packed full of Christmas cheer, show-stopping numbers and plenty of gags, most of which hopefully went over the head of younger audience members - there were actually times when my friend and I had our hands over our mouths. 

Allo Allo's Vicki Michelle as the villainous Carabosse. Image: Enchanted Entertainment (Image: Enchanted Entertainment)My favourite thing about panto is that nobody takes themselves too seriously. The audience were in gales of laughter throughout the show, led by Panto King Mike McClean, back at the Regent for his eighth panto. Plenty of audience members will remember Mike from his days as a roving reporter for Richard and Judy, presenting the Big Breakfast. 

Twist and Pulse (pictured here in a cunning disguise) had the audience in stitches. Image: Enchanted Entertainment (Image: Enchanted Entertainment)

McClean, in the role of Muddles, had the crowds in the palm of his hands with his dry and sarcastic style of stand-up. If the show was a circus, he would be ringmaster, going off-script with his own quips and asides to the audience, and helpfully pointing out to his co-stars “You got that line wrong, there.” 

Jazzy Phoenix played the role of Princess Aurora. Image: Enchanted Entertainment (Image: Enchanted Entertainment)

I imagine that he was also covered in bumps and bruises by the end of the night, having thrown himself about the stage and taken beatings from his fellow actors with good grace. 

Vicki Michelle as the villainous witch Carabosse was perfect, stalking across the stage to boos and hisses. There were plenty of ‘Allo, Allo’ jokes for the mums and dads, and a few cheers when she uttered the immortal line: “Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once.” 

Freya Karlettis in the role of Fairy Forty Winks. Image: Enchanted Entertainment (Image: Enchanted Entertainment)When Twist and Pulse of Britain’s Got Talent fame took to the stage, there were cheers from the youngsters in the audience. Their intricately choreographed dance number in the second act has the crowds spellbound – and, as my friend pointed out to me, their fellow cast members, with Prince Sheeran watching on in amazement.  

The evening had plenty of laughs, and a few scares. Image: Freya Karlettis in the role of Fairy Forty Winks Image: Enchanted Entertainment (Image: Enchanted Entertainment)

AJ Jenks in the role of Sheeran lived up to his name, crooning classic Sheeran melodies armed this his guitar.  

For me, Jazzy Phoenix (Princess Aurora) and Freya Karlettis (Fairy Forty Winks) had the strongest voices, and their powerhouse musical numbers had the audience clapping along. 

Twist and Pulse wowed the audience with their dance moves. Image: Enchanted Entertainment (Image: Enchanted Entertainment)A special mention has to go to Gavin Ashbarry as Queen Camilla Park & Ride. I imagine there is always a lot of pressure on the performer who takes on the role of the panto dame, but Ashbarry had charisma in spade. He also shows off his roller-skating skills in a daring number that saw him zipping back and forth with impressive speed. 

Mike McClean had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand as Muddles. Image: Enchanted Entertainment (Image: Enchanted Entertainment)

We were curious when we were handed a pair of 3D spectacles at the box office, but all became clear in the second half. All I can say is that, if you’re a fan of spiders, you’re in luck! 

Overall, the cast delivered a warm, feel-good performance that had us smiling all the way through. If a cast member flubbed their line or got the giggles, it added to the fun of it.  

Sleeping Beauty will be running until Sunday, December 31.