Daily Info sat down with the creatives behind Sleeping Beauty at the Oxford Playhouse to see what they have in store for audiences this winter.
Daily Info: What does the Oxford Playhouse have in store this Christmas?
As always, Oxford Playhouse will be abuzz this festive season as we bring an original panto production to the city’s heart for everyone to enjoy! Playing until Sunday 5 January, we’re transporting you through time with the glittering Sleeping Beauty. We can’t wait for you to meet Aurora, Ursula, Nelly the Nurse and all their friends.
Never mind goodnight, this is sure to be the BEST night, with brilliant storytelling, singing dancing and, of course, all your favourite loveable (and downright boo-able) panto heroes and villains, making this a real spellbinding Oxland adventure.
DI: What's Sleeping Beauty all about?
Well, things have gone a little bit awry for our Princess Aurora in this year’s show. As the usual tale goes, our princess was cursed as a baby and years later pricks her finger on a spindle. However, the consequence of pricking her finger isn’t quite what you’d think…
Our Aurora must summon all of her fairy-given gifts - true friendship, intelligence, bravery and a good night’s sleep (along with a teddy bear and a mysterious 1985 Smash Hits Yearbook) to put things right and regain her rightful place in the kingdom of Oxland.
DI: How have The Playhouse tweaked Sleeping Beauty? It's a familiar story but it looks like you've got some new elements in there.
This year’s production is a glorious mash-up of traditional panto fun and 80s nostalgia.
We’ve still got all the usual playful pandemonium that you’d expect from an Oxford Playhouse Pantomime, but rather than settling for one time period, we’re giving you two! Join Aurora on an adventure through time from 985 AD to 1985, with a soundtrack to match. From Wham! to Chappell Roan, we’ve got something for everyone this year.
Princess Aurora is also far from your traditional panto damsel, it’s all about her story, and the friends that she makes along the way. No Prince Charming is coming to wake her from her slumber in our production, instead, Aurora has dreams of becoming a fashion designer, inspired by what she finds inside her Smash Hits Yearbook. Get ready for over-the-top shoulder pads and boatloads of glitter and glam.
DI: What sort of panto fun can audiences expect with this year's show?
Last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk was such a riot that we are delighted to see the return of the same production team who brought to life the gigantic pantomime. The director of our two previous pantos, Toby Hulse, also returns and this year has written the show too.
Robin Hemmings, who played villain Hendrix the Horrible is also back on our stage, ready for more boos, as Walter the Wicked. An audience favourite last year, he’s ready to cause more delightful chaos again this Christmas!
Of course, we wouldn’t deprive audiences of the annual sweetie throwing, along with a classic custard pie incident and plenty of audience participation to get you involved in the silliness!
DI: What Christmas traditions do the team have at the Oxford Playhouse?
Well, although theatre doesn’t stop for Christmas and many of us will be at The Playhouse making sure the show DOES in fact go on, we’re very lucky to live in a city that is so magical at Christmas. A trip to the Broad Street Christmas market is of course a must, the best place to get a mulled wine after a day of panto mayhem!
The best part about Christmas at The Playhouse is the fact we get to work with the great same team for a few months. The panto cast and crew have their own tradition of Secret Santa during the Christmas week and we’re sure there are plenty of Christmas carols sung on stage between shows!
DI: Sum up Sleeping Beauty in three words.
Fairytale meets 80s!
Sleeping Beauty runs at the Oxford Playhouse from 22nd November 2024 to 5th January 2025 and tickets can be found on their website.