*****

The terrific work from the cast of Sleeping Beauty would be little more than enjoyable were it not for the support of the magnificent technical team..

Director Trevor Ryan with co-writer Frank Mackey (who seems to have given his own role as Nanny Nellie only a few wildly repetitive expletives) have gathered a crew smoothed into coherence by sound designer Peter Crudge.

Illuminated by lighting programmer Drew McCarthy, the acrobatic dancers work to the music directed by David Hayes while Katie Honan as Beauty and Jason Broderick as her prince keep the magic alive. The cheerfully lunatic episodes fitfully following the story lighten even the dark enchantment of the evil Malifizent (a dramatically sustained Alex Sharpe).

The balance between the dazzling pyrotechnics and the madcap comedy captivate the utterly engaged audience, enraptured to the point of participative exhaustion at the glittering finale.

Ends Jan 17th