The Final Sleeping Beauty Post

One week ago today, at roughly the time I'm publishing this post, I was chatting to one of the most talented and beautiful leading ladies in muscial theatre, Miss Faye Brookes.

I'm delighted to say she has now received the Sleeping Beauty gifts I sent her to thank her for being the perfect Princess Aurora in the superb Canterbury panto.

I can't actually believe it's only a week ago to be honest. A lot seems to have happened since and I'm already anxious to know what comes next for this very special young woman.

However, she's had an exhausting schedule for a number of years now and has definitely earned a break. Hopefully she's enjoying some relaxing Faye time back home and has recovered from the cold she was suffering from last week.

As I mentioned before, musical theatre is a highly competitive business with hundreds of girls going for just a handful of roles. You can only audition for a part when the existing cast member leaves the show and in some cases that can mean years.

So you may have to wait for the chance to go for one of your prefered roles or maybe take a smaller part in a different show and hope there are more opportunities next time you're out of work. You don't just need incredible talent to get a great role, it's also a matter of timing.

At least her break will enable me to save up my pennies for plenty of trips to see her in whatever she does end up doing next.

Having said all that, it really would be a travesty if someone as gifted as Faye was out of work for long when there are so many far less talented girls currently gracing West End stages.

She is a genuine star and the show that eventually secures her services is the luckiest show around.

Obviously I'll continue to keep you updated with any news but you'll be pleased to know that we do at least have a few more of our 'Questions for Faye' series of posts and the remaining Legally Blonde UK Tour audio recordings to entertain you while we wait.

Before we move on to those, I'll leave you with a few of the many glowing reviews of Faye's performances as Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty.


Kent News
Rising star Faye Brookes is a genuine force to be reckoned with as the title character, and her vocal performance was spot on. So good, in fact, it often frequently out-shone Gareth Gates as Prince Charming – a thoroughly likeable hero who made up in warmth for what he perhaps lacked in charisma.

Adventure
She was the perfect Elle Woods and I'm happy to say she's also the perfect Princess Aurora. In fact I don't think Princess Aurora has ever looked or sounded so good ;) You can certainly see why everyone calls her Beauty.

This is Kent
Gareth's soulful pop voice is complemented by the polished musical voice of Faye Brookes who stars as Beauty. She has the youthful looks and mellifluous tones of a young princess.

Public Reviews
Faye Brookes is every inch the leading lady in the title role as she returns to Canterbury fresh from her recent success in the Legally Blonde tour.

Kent Online
Equally, the stunning Faye Brookes put a few smiles on the faces of dads with a faultless performance....in what was a near-faultless production.

It had laughs, frights, lots of water and plenty of audience interaction - oh, and did I mention the stunning Faye Brookes?

British Theatre Guide
In the roles of Prince Michael and Princess Aurora, Gareth Gates and Faye Brooks make a stunning Principal Boy and Girl pairing with excellent chemistry and voices, whilst Katrina Bryan’s Fairy Moonbeam is full of magical charm and makes the role memorable for all the right reasons.

An Emotional Farewell To Beauty

You'll be pleased to know I defied the Gods and braved our arctic weather to complete the 400 mile round trip from Bristol to Canterbury to see Faye in the final Sleeping Beauty show at the Marlowe Theatre.

The show itself was every bit as spectacular as when I saw it back in early December but I want to use this post as a message to Faye because I only got to speak to her briefly before the final performance, as she was making the long trip back home to Manchester that night.


Dear Faye,

It was so lovely to see you again yesterday. Maybe the Gods were shining on me after all because I hadn't planned on meeting up until after the final show, so if I hadn't happened to bump into you heading to town following the matinee I may not have seen you at all.

In truth I hadn't planned it very well because I should have realised you might be travelling home after the final performance and therefore wouldn't have time to chat with fans at the stage door. I hope you made it home safely in these awful conditions and that your Mum had a nice hot cup of tea waiting when you got in.

I never dreamed I'd enjoy the Sleeping Beauty panto as much as I did. As I mentioned to you before I hadn't seen a panto for over 20 years and if someone had said I'd love it almost as much as Legally Blonde I'd have laughed, but I did.

Obviously I prefer the first half to the second because the star of the show - that's you in case you hadn't guest - features far more heavily, but the whole production was incredible and completely changed my view of panto's forever.

The Gangnam Style booty shake will live long in the memory - HILARIOUS - as will the classroom scene, but for different reasons ;)

I thought you were the perfect Elle Woods but the same could be said of Princess Aurora. The role of Beauty was surely made for you.

The final show was just as emotional as you predicted. It was evident that all the cast were struggling to hold back the tears and are clearly going to miss performing in such a wonderful production.

You probably wont be surprised to know I'd actually brought you a couple of gifts. One was a sort of joke present - a memento of your time as Beauty - and the other just a little something I picked up in Canterbury before the show.

The Princess Aurora doll - not quite as beautiful as the real thing and definitely not as talented - was actually ordered online and turned out to be FAR bigger than I expected. I'd actually decided not to give it you in the end anyway because it would have been very awkward for you to have to carry all the way back to Manchester.

The only thing I didn't get to ask which I'm anxious to know is 'What comes next for Faye Brookes?'

I know it's a highly competitive business with often hundreds of girls going for just a handful of roles but it would be a travesty and a MASSIVE loss to musical theatre if you were out of work for long.

Do you have anything lined up or is it audition, audition, audition?

If you could tweet or send me a direct message to let me know I'd be eternally grateful.

I hope you sometimes get chance to read the blog and saw all the glowing reviews of both you and the panto I found online. It seems I'm not the only one who recognises how special you are.

After 96 shows I hope you enjoy a relaxing break but I also hope to see you back on stage very soon.

Best Wishes, Andy xx

Sleeping Beauty Vs Snow White

I'm starting to get a little worried because it seems the Gods don't want me to make it to Canterbury to see Faye in the final Sleeping Beauty show on Sunday.

As previously mentioned I live in Bristol and we've been hit by substantial snow fall over the past 12 hours leaving some roads impassable. Unfortunately this is due to continue for most of today with more flurries expected tomorrow.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Canterbury is expected to have significant snow fall over the weekend as well; particularly on Sunday.

With freezing temperatures continuing into next week conditions aren't likely to improve that much.

I'm still hoping I can make it to the Marlowe Theatre to see Faye and the fabulous Sleeping Beauty panto one last time but I don't relish a 400 mile round trip on treacherous roads.

The above picture wasn't taken today but does give a good indication of the chaos this weather can cause.

BTG Sleeping Beauty Review

Other than the write up of my trip to see the last panto performance on Sunday January 20th, this might be the final Sleeping Beauty review, and it's another A* for this remarkable show.

There are now just 8 days / 192 hours / 11520 minutes before the curtain comes down for the final time, so you want to hurry up and book those tickets because that's hardly any time at all.

You still have 14 opportunities to see the best panto in the UK and of course one of the most gifted young actresses in musical theatre, Miss Faye Brookes; so click the link below and book now.

If you've seen it already, GO AGAIN. You know you want to and I'm sure your kids will love it even more the second time around.

Tickets cost £11 to £30.50 from BOOK ONLINE or call 01227 787787. 

The latest review comes from Simon Sladen of the 'British Theatre Guide'. I honestly can't remember any other panto ever getting as much praise as this years Sleeping Beauty at the Marlowe Theatre Canterbury; Incredible.


Sleeping Beauty Review
British Theatre Guide

As soon as ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ sweeps across the auditorium spreading its melodic happiness during the overture, the audience knows they’re in for a good time. Last year’s Cinderella at the Marlowe Theatre was a resounding success, but somehow Evolution Productions has managed to top it with this year’s festive treat Sleeping Beauty.

An Evolution pantomime is always strong on comedy and this year is no exception. In the double act of Dame and Comic, Ben Roddy and Lloyd Hollett are one of the best in the country, which is even more remarkable given that this is Roddy’s D(am)ebut and their first season together in the stock role partnership.

As Jangles the Jester, Hollett helps tell the story and acts as that all important link between stage and auditorium. His lovable Comic has the audience in stitches with his contorting face and cheeky antics and coupled with Roddy the two exemplify everything pantomime Comics and Dames should strive for.

Whether delivering 57 consecutive pop music gags or larking about in a leaky bathroom, Hollett and Roddy are naturals and deliver their material with expert timing, ringing every last laugh out of every line. Roddy’s Nurse Nellie is a glorious ‘Bloke in a Frock’ and the physicality he brings to the role takes the comedy to another level. Having opened on 30th November 2012, the show is still fresh and vibrant, greatly due to the energetic performances from Hollett and Roddy who keep the rest of the cast on their toes much to the delight of the audience.

Not only does the production boast an excellent Comic and Dame, it has one of the finest Villains in Pantoland in the form of Toyah Willcox’s Carabosse. An experienced pantomime performer, Willcox knows how to work an audience and ensure she gets the boos her character so desires. Her involvement in the schoolroom scene works well as she tries to think up ways to prick the Princess and a mysterious birthday card efficiently lures Beauty to her fate.

Paul Hendy’s script has gone through a number of changes since its first outing in Guildford in 2010, one of which is the addition of a marvelous transformation sequence to conclude Act One. Thorns slowly engulf the castle, whilst Carabosse summons flames and her fire breathing dragon Helga, a devilish sight to behold, who fills the stage and wards off anyone who dares try to awaken the princess from her 100-year slumber.

Sleeping Beauty is always a difficult title to content with due to the century-long sleep and, although Hendy fills the second act with an extended joke about ageing, a crowd-pleasing leaky bathroom sequence and the Ghost Gag, the use of three set pieces does stall the action somewhat. It is also a shame that the quest narrative in terms of rescuing the Prince and finding a magical golden axe is not extended and worked through as, rather fortunately, a silver axe Jangles happens to come across manages to achieve what only the golden axe is allegedly capable of.

In the roles of Prince Michael and Princess Aurora, Gareth Gates and Faye Brooks make a stunning Principal Boy and Girl pairing with excellent chemistry and voices, whilst Katrina Bryan’s Fairy Moonbeam is full of magical charm and makes the role memorable for all the right reasons. Ieuan Rhys’s jolly Welsh King Izznit completes the line-up of what must be one of the strongest casts of the season and with a dazzling ensemble, sparkling sets and toe-tapping music, Sleeping Beauty is an enchanting evening of entertainment.

As Princess Aurora reminds the audience in her opening number, pantomime at the Marlowe — “It’s always a good time!”

Kent Online Sleeping Beauty Review

I hope you all had a magical festive season and have now fully recovered from your New Year celebrations.

@Faye_Brookes Happy New Year everyone I hope 2013 is your lucky year!

Spare a thought for Faye and the remarkable cast of Sleeping Beauty who have already performed 23 shows since Christmas day.

But don't panic if you haven't seen it yet because there are still 2 weeks and 26 more amazing shows before the curtain falls for the final time on January 20th.

Tickets cost £11 to £30.50 from MARLOW THEATRE or call 01227 787787. 

To get you in the mood here's another glittering review of this wonderful panto from Joe Walker of Kent Online:


Sleeping Beauty Review
Kent Online - 6th December 2012

It's that time of year when hundreds of people gather in one place to watch a man dressed as a woman dressed as a jockey riding an ostrich.

Or at least that was my expert assessment as I sat down at the Marlowe on Tuesday to watch this year’s panto Sleeping Beauty.

Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates, as the charming Prince Michael, and ex-punk princess Toyah Willcox, playing the evil Carabosse, were given star billing.

But it was panto dame Ben Roddy who stole the show - and most of the laughs - in a brilliant take of Nurse Nellie.

His (or her?) somewhat uncomfortable affection for the dashing Prince provided a few belly laughs and he even managed to throw in three (yes, three!) Bonnie Tyler jokes.

He and jovial jester Jangles (Lloyd Hollett) raised the roof with a slapstick bathroom scene, but it was a sketch with 58 consecutive gags about old records that had me chuckling (He did a P Diddy?)

As always, there were some topical local jokes thrown in for good measure, with the Westgate Towers traffic trial and Herne Bay’s miserable Christmas lights getting honourable mentions.

And a gag about sending the cast to a “dark foreboding place where time has stood still for 100 years” was set up for an Isle of Sheppey punchline.

The set and costumes were impressive, but it was a stunning fire-breathing dragon which had everyone on the edge of their seats (it has to be seen to be believed!)

Surprisingly, it’s an hour before Gareth cracks the inevitable joke about his stuttering, but the Bradford boy proved he can still make girls swoon with a rendition of Jason Mraz’s I Won’t Give Up.

Equally, the stunning Faye Brookes put a few smiles on the faces of dads with a faultless performance....in what was a near-faultless production.

It had laughs, frights, lots of water and plenty of audience interaction - oh, and did I mention the stunning Faye Brookes?

At the end of the day, I'm one of those miserable dads who probably wouldn’t step foot in a panto if I didn’t have kids.

But as we left the theatre my five-year-old daughter turned to me and said: “That was really fun!” – and I suppose that’s what really matters, isn’t it?

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all our wonderful readers and of course, to the special person who brings us all together, the amazing Faye Brookes.

It's actually a double celebration because today is also the blogs 6 month anniversary.

During that time our girl has gone from Malibu sweetheart Elle Woods in Legally Blonde to Disney Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, there have been 92 blog posts keeping you up to date with all things Faye and we've received nearly 7000 hits : -)

What does 2013 hold ?

Well 3 more weeks of Sleeping Beauty fun at the Marlowe Theatre Canterbury for starters.

After that who knows, but what I do know is that you'll hear about it first here on the Faye Brookes Fan Blog.

To see in the new year I thought I'd share with you this lovely video I found on You Tube of Lloyd Hollett proposing to Danielle May Williams on stage after a recent Sleeping Beauty show.

Lucklily she said yes because we can't have a panto without a happy ending ;)

It of course also features the beautiful Faye Brookes who presents the flowers to the lucky soon to be Mrs Hollett.