Sleeping Beauty is the 2009 pantomime for the Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock.
This page will be updated with backstage news and insider gossip from both Imagine and the venue. Keep checking back for updates!
You can find lots more photos about the panto on our Sleeping Beauty Facebook photo album.
Panto Closes
30th December 2009
The panto is now closed. It's been an amazing, record breaking run. Our thanks go to everyone who was involved in the production for making it such a massive success! On to Dick Whittington next year! x
The Glasgow Herald review is out - we think they liked it! ;o)
16th December 2009
"Josh by name, joshing by nature – even so, Liam Dolan’s sparky Jester doesn’t hog the stage or nab all the the killer-diller punchlines.
But he is the engine – and the accredited director – behind this great, fun-filled family show.
Pantos at the Palace have really hit a yompingly fine stride since Dolan arrived five years ago. He’s one of those likely lads – ideal as Buttons or Wishee-Washee or, as here, the court jester – who can loon around like the necessary eejit but still come away with hilariously clever wordplay that leaves audiences helpless with laughter... and repeating the jokes to one another afterwards.
What’s more, Dolan is up for the kind of messy-splatter slap-stick that has kids shrieking with disbelieving glee.
As with the Principal Boy – and by the way, Laura McMonagle cuts a classy can-do dash as Prince Valiant at the Palace – the business of custard-pie clowning is a panto tradition that has exited stage left in many venues.
Sad, really. Especially when you see how well the old tricks can work when tackled with fresh enthusiasm. Talking of which, John Hannibal’s Dame, Nanny Nora Noo, is a right go-getter – tee-hee! Nora’s inappropriate urge to go get a man soon becomes an ongoing source of richly grotesque comedy.
If there’s a hint of wicked camp in Brenda Cochrane’s Carabosse, it – and her singing – adds a wink of showbiz glam to the character before she transforms into a... but let’s not spoil a special effect that, like our Jester’s time machine and much else in this panto, provides young and old with the panto-time of their lives."
Star rating: ****
The panto is open, and gala night goes with a bang!
28th November 2009
The panto is open and up and running! And Saturday 28th November saw the gala night show and celebrations at the Palace. As always, we were there with our camera, so here's a couple of snaps of the night! There's lots more in our Facebook album!
The panto cast with Ian, one of the back stage crew, who was surprised with a cake and gift to celebrate his 50 years at the Palace.
L-R back - Andrew Findlater (plays Smiley and Fusspot), Liam Dolan (Director and Josh the Jester), Ian (Backstage, celebrating 50 years at the Palace), Janice Gilmour (Theatre Manager), Brenda Cochrane (Bad Fairy Carabosse) and John Hannibal (Dame Nanny Nora Noo)
L-R Front - Laura McMonagle (Prince Valiant), Stevie Hannan (King Bumble), Adele Rankin (Princess Belle) and Louise McCarthy (Good Fairy Azuriel)
The panto crew
First day of rehearsals
12th November 2009
So after all the wait, it's finally been... and gone! The first day of rehearsals is complete for another year, and the cast and crew feel like they've never had a break from panto!
This morning saw a read through for the cast, and Brenda had a costume fitting for the lovely new costume we've had made for her. Then in the afternoon it was down to the serious business of blocking the show, and into all the hard work which will carry them all through to opening night on Wednesday 25th November.
We'll be keeping this page updated with news, gossip and photos from the theatre, so watch this space!
Anyone want a Dragon?
10th November 2009
We thought you might like a sneaky peak of the new inflatable dragon we've had made for Sleeping Beauty at the Palace...
Panto Launch
20th October 2009
The panto launch took place today in Kilarmnock. We say panto launch, but the show has been on sale for months. This was really a chance to undertake a full cast photo shoot, and they had a brilliant day.
As well as all 8 of the cast being present for a photo shoot, there were Steve Boden and Iain Lauchlan from Imagine HQ, Dawn and Karen from our Wardrobe team, Gina the panto wardrobe mistress, Simon, the panto lighting designer, Mikey, the panto production manager and Janice and Carol from the venue.
The photo shoot was a massive success, and then it was a chance for everyone to get together and to have a drink and a catch up in the theatre afterwards - a great way to formally "launch" the panto!
Adele as Sleeping Beauty
Brenda and Louise as the Fairies
The full cast
Laura McMonagle from River Cirty plays Prince Valiant
Panto Production Meeting
7th September 2009
Today was production meeting day for Sleeping Beauty - panto director and star Liam Dolan, panto production manager Mikey Shaw and lighting designer Simon Butcher joined Chris Ball (Imagine Technicals) and Steve Boden (Executive producer) at the Coventry offices to plan, plot and scheme about the panto!
L-R - Liam Dolan, Steve Boden, Chris Ball, Mikey Shaw, Simon Butcher.
The Flyer is out
4th September 2009
Babes Auditions
1st September 2009
The babes auditions took place on Saturday and the talent on show was outstanding. Here are some photos from the day (obviously we can't show the kids, so here's what the panel did...).
Liam and Adele
Louise manages the paperwork
Liam in his 'I am auditioning to be Louis Walsh's replacement for X-Factor' pose!
Three more cast members are announced
25th August 2009
We are pleased to announce the following cast members:
Louise McCarthy as Azuriel the Good Fairy
Stevie Hannan as King Bumble
Andrew Findlater as Fusspot / Slim
First cast members are announced
12th June 2009
This year's panto at the Palace will star:
Brenda Cochrane as the Fairy
Liam Dolan (who also directs) as Josh the Jester
Adele Rankin as Princess Belle
We are back!
19th January 2009
Imagine is delighed to have been awarded a further three year contract by East Ayrshire Borough Council to present pantomime at the Palace Theatre. We look forward to working with the team at the Palace again for Sleeping Beauty!
