Axmouth Children's Theatre performed their new pantomime 'Sleeping Beauty' to three appreciative sell-out audiences at the village hall on Friday, January 27 and Saturday 28.

Especially enjoyable was the matinee when the hall was filled with Seaton Brownies and Rainbows.

For 12 of the cast this was their first time performing, but they did not disappoint. The script was written by Malcolm Henty, the director, and saw Fairy Orrible (Willow Tyson) trick Princess Beauty (Eva Crabbe) into pricking her finger, sending her to sleep for 100 years, before being saved by Prince Ferdinand (Alfie Relf Arnold).

Along the way we met several unlikely characters such as Postman Pat (Jake Pearce), Little Red Riding Hood (Betsy Chadwick) and Mr WF Wolfman 111 (Lilien Demesova).

The King and Queen (Leo Spencer and Millie Carey) ruled over the palace very ably, assisted by the Royal Nanny (Poppy Coleman). One of the many highlights came when Prince Ferdinand and his sidekick Rumple (Amber Fealey) came to the palace disguised as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, cue 'Islands in the Stream'.

The Fairy Godmother (Megan Dare) kept things moving along with the Head of the Fairies (Emily Dyer) and the rest of the delightfully colourful band (Pip Steele, Martha Fealey, Lucie Sansom, Hazel Spencer, Betsy Chadwick, Georgia Williams).

The backstage crew led by Stage Manager Beth Wood deserve much credit for their part. But ultimately it was the brilliantly talented young cast that shone. The group are now taking a short break before starting on their next production.