Following the success of adult pantos Dick in 2012 and last year’s Dick Comes Again! Stuart Saint is back with his latest festive, and filthy, production: Sleeping Booty.
The plot, such as it is, follows erotic dancer Booty who is intent on finding a prick. Not of the needle variety. Fairy Muff soon conjures up a Prince Charming for Booty, although it’s not quite the perfect match as he arrives on a pink unicorn. In knee high boots. And glittering hot pants. The proceedings are further complicated with the evil queen, Mangelina, wreaking havoc on just about anyone who crosses her path.
As with last year’s show, Sleeping Booty thrives on the strength of its game cast. Each performer is fully committed to delivering innuendo at a rate of knots with a strong helping of bravado and panache. If the cast shows a hint of hesitation or embarrassment, the audience would surely follow suit and the show would deflate beyond repair. Leading the way is Leon Scott who launches himself head-first (or should that be crotch first?) into the role of hotpant-clad Prince Willie Wontie. Scott has perfect comic timing, a strong voice and a manic energy which fills the intimate stage.
Thankfully, every actor seems to revel in the ridiculousness and vulgarity on display. Paula Masterson is pitch perfect in the role of sex-crazed Fairy Muff and has, by far, the strongest voice of the night. Alexander Beck takes on multiple roles, ranging from a camp German stylist to Prince Willie Wontie’s loyal servant, and excels in each and every one. Alice Marshall takes chav to the next level as the twerking Booty and Rachael Born proves to be much more than a sidekick as Mangelina’s number two. Soho scene queen Dusty ‘O’ may not be the most seasoned performer of the lot but she certainly holds her own amongst the cast and warms up nicely throughout the show.
Stuart Saint’s script doesn’t quite hold up to last year’s stellar instalment, despite packing in as much smut and innuendo as possible, but he manages to include, and twist, pretty much every panto tradition going – audience participation, high speed montages and a sequinned dame. To say the script is jam-packed is an understatement, with punch-lines coming thick and fast – if one doesn’t connect, the next probably will.
Sleeping Booty is certainly not fun for all the family but those looking for a hilarious, chaotic and very rude panto will find plenty to enjoy.
