The Sword in the Stone – A review
As the audience was seated the crowd buzzed with an overwhelming sense of anticipation and excitement. Before the performance began costumed cast members greeted and charmed their audience, the same friendly faces we would soon grow to love and hate over the course of The Sword in the Stone. The scarcity of empty seats and enthusiastic atmosphere at The New Wolsey Theatre set the tone for the opening night of the Panto which would be nothing less than enchanting.
Bursting from the seams with humour, audience interaction and musical numbers The Sword in the Stone left little to be desired. A crowd pleaser all round this comedic rendition of the much beloved tale of King Arthur was rife with humour catered to all ages from slapstick to wordplay, football references and everything in between. A diverse range of musical numbers featured throughout adding to the thrill of the experience as well as showcasing the vocal and instrumental talents of the brilliant cast. The stage was well designed and versatile without being overly complicated or confusing, transitioning with ease as settings changed within the play. It is important to commend everyone involved in the production as the high standard to which they work is undeniable. A pleasure to watch, family friendly and suitable for all, The Sword in the Stone was a truly enjoyable experience which I am sure will only become more renowned for its excellence this winter.
by Natasha Davis, University Campus Suffolk Student
The Sword in the Stone is a truly magnificent tale of the legendary King Arthur’s fight to unite the seven kingdoms and become the rightful King of England, along the way combating the evil forces of Morgan Le Fay in this enchanting rock and roll panto.
The actors/musicians are incredible, playing their part with unwavering passion and boundless energy to engage the audience, while also singing and playing their own instruments beautifully. Sandy Grigelis portrays Sprout and eventually Arthur, exceptionally; the audience are able to feel the energy of his strength, innocence, vulnerability and in his struggle to admit to Guinevere his love for her, he is particularly endearing. However, personally I found that Guinevere (played by Lucy Wells) lacked substance and I felt as though her portrayal of the character was not as convincing or as solid as the other characters, therefore I was unable to form an emotional connection with her. On the other hand, her singing was stunning and her performance of ‘You can reach me’ was absolutely beautiful. Graham Kent as Dame Bernadette Broadbottom is hilarious, leaving the audience in stitches of delight with his fabulous portrayal, intertwining humour for everyone from football to slapstick and wordplay – a typical but fantastic panto character. Sean Kingsley as Merlin is mesmerising, his hoarse accent for the old wizard is very believable, although slightly annoying at the start of the performance. However, it is Georgina White as Morgan Le Fay who steals the show. She delivers spectacular vocals, energetic dance moves, and captures the malevolence of her character with power, relishing the evil in her role.
Captivating and wonderfully played, the music is superb; the fantastic cast seamlessly integrate pop classics into the performance using a variety of different instruments and breathtaking vocals. The set, designed by Barney George, is a masterpiece which, through curtains, revolving panels and trapdoors, transforms the audience from forest to a castle to a dragon’s lair while the coloured, atmospheric lighting conjures up the different landscapes perfectly, highlighting the characters’ actions and drawing attention to each person when they are singing a solo. The use of special effects: smoke, fireworks and fire are enchanting to watch, weaving magic and excitement into the performance. The characters’ have several costume changes, from long sparkly dresses to sequined boots which look stunning against the lights and scenery.
Although The Sword in The Stone is magnificent fun for the whole family, there are parts where some of the humour is quite rude and for younger children, this may not be appropriate.
Overall, this is one of the most entertaining and explosive shows I have ever seen, brought to life by an incredibly talented cast of actors and musicians; I definitely recommend this to anyone who is thinking of going.
By Amy Allard, East Bergholt High School, Year 10
