Sleeping Beauty enchants Lanark

This year’s Lanark Junior Panto is Sleeping Beauty and as always they are keen to show the seniors that anything they can do the youngsters can do better.

The show stars King William and Queen Kate, played respectively by Blair Hannah and Jade Keisler, who have a daughter Princess Beauty, played by Emily Noble.

When the scheming Esme (Hope Forrest) isn’t invited to Beauty’s christening she casts a spell on her which ends with her being sent to sleep on her 16th birthday.

It’s up to Natalie Hamilton, who stars as Prince Harry, to follow his dreams and break the spell in order to wake Sleeping Beauty up.

Other cast members include Aimee Challioner, Heather Murray and Kerry Noble as the three fairies - Lanimers, Spring and Summer respectively.

Katie Foss plays Dum Dum, Laura Bulloch stars as Chamberlain and Eve Forrest as Cook.

Of course, as was revealed in the Gazette a number of weeks ago, it’s not the adults who are in charge of this production – it’s the kids.

In the director’s chair is 14-year-old Jonathan Romer.

The producer is Eve Robb (15), while 16-year-old Dougie Scott takes charge of the music.

The panto’s choreographer is Ellie Raeside (15) and Holly Baxter (14) is the stage manager.

The youngsters are being mentored by members of Lanark Panto Club and on the evidence of this may just be taking some of their jobs in the near future.

Panto chairwoman Karen Brown is delighted with the response from the youngsters.

She said: “Things have been going really well.

“The kids have been juggling a lot of different things but they have handled the pressure really well.

“It’s been a great opportunity for the kids to take control and have more responsibility because we all hope that they are going to be the future of the Panto Club.

“It’s been done as a learning experience for them and gives the kids the chance to see just how much time and effort goes into putting the panto together.

“There’s the usual Lanark-based jokes but toned down slightly for the juniors.

“The adults will still enjoy the story.”

As expected the kids involved in the Panto have pulled off another cracking show and its one that everyone - young and old - will enjoy.

Lanark Junior Panto Club’s version of Sleeping Beauty takes place at Greyfriars Church in Lanark on Friday, October 5 and Saturday, October 6.

The show starts at 7pm with doors opening at 6.30pm.

Tickets are available from ALJ in St Leonard Street and from Julie Cherry by calling 07923 467571.

It is advisable that you do not turn up on the night without tickets.