November 22, 2007
By Tabisa Mntengwana
THE lights are dimmed, the audience is expectant, and the curtains open for the National Children's Theatre final production the year, derived from the popular fairytale Sleeping Beauty.
Written by French author Charles Perrault, it is the story of a princess who pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. She is saved from eternal sleep by a kiss from a handsome prince.
The show opens at the baby princess's christening, where the king asks the good fairy to be her godmother. But things go pear-shaped when the bad fairy overhears the king's request.
She insists on being the godmother, and when the king refuses she casts a spell on the princess. When she is 16 years old she will prick her finger on a rose thorn and fall into a deep sleep for eternity.
In response, the good fairy, played by Tanya Stricker, consults the Great Book for Fairies; on page 33 it states that as the official godmother to the princess, the good fairy is entitled to change the spell and make the princess happy.
"I cast a spell upon you, Princess Beauty, that during your deep sleep, a prince will come and rescue you," she said. "Only once the prince has kissed you, then will you be awake."
A long, long sleep: Prince Charming (Mahlatse Kgoale) tries to awaken Princess Beauty (Courtney Gallagher), with a little help from the good fairy (Tany Stricker)
Time passes and on the eve of the princess's 16th birthday, the bad fairy returns, disguised as one of the workers in the castle. She gives Beauty a rose as a birthday present; Beauty pricks herself on one of the thorns and falls asleep.
Meanwhile, Prince Charming, played by Mahlatse Kgoale, is busy looking for an adventure, something that will make the world remember him as a hero. With the help of his fairy godfather and Princess Beauty's fairy godmother, he heads over to the castle on a rescue mission.
But it is not without its trials – his godfather warned him that, "no matter how hungry or thirsty you may be you should not drink or eat, for if you do so, something bad will happen".
He is tempted by the bad fairy, who presents him with water and snacks, but he resists - with the help of the good fairy and her magic wand. Finally the determined prince reaches the castle and saves the princess with a kiss on her cheek.
Frans Schoeman plays the fairy godfather, Quintin Collett plays the king and the bad fairy is portrayed by Hein van Zyl. Princess Beauty is played by Courtney Gallagher.
Pop songs and music by Britney Spears, R Kelly and other local singers give a modern twist to the show. The music director is Saranti Reeders, from the television programme Liriekeraai.
Sleeping Beauty is on at the National Children's Theatre until 22 December. During government school terms, performances are on weekdays at 9am and 10.30am and on Saturdays at 10.30am and 2.30pm. During government school holidays, performances are at 10am and 2.30pm from Mondays to Saturdays.
Tickets are R55 for children and R65 for adults; they are available from the theatre on 011 484 1584 or at Computicket outlets, on 083 915 8000, or online on the Computicket website. Block bookings and specials are available for schools, groups and birthday parties.
The National Children's Theatre is at 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown.
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