Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
Rothamsted Park, Harpenden, AL5 2FR
This Christmas, you’re invited to the pantomime of your dreams – SLEEPING BEAUTY, at the Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden.
Once upon a time in a Pantoland far, far away, a beautiful princess is cursed by the evil Carabosse to perish on her 18th birthday by pricking her finger on a spinning wheel. Thanks to Fairy Nuff, Sleeping Beauty falls into a deep sleep that can only be broken by her one true love. Will the handsome prince come to her rescue, fight the dragon, destroy Carabosse, and save the day? Will the hilarious Nurse Nelly finally find the man of her dreams and will Chester the Jester find his own super powers to protect the princess? There’s only one way to find out...
Don’t miss this year’s spectacular pantomime from the same team that brought you last year’s smash hit show Beauty and the Beast.
Featuring great songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and spectacular special effects this dream of a pantomime will be an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike.
Book your tickets now for this magical adventure where dreams really do come true.
Sleeping Beauty Programme
Polka Dot Pantomimes are delighted to welcome you to the Eric Morecambe Centre and this production of Sleeping Beauty. This is the fourth pantomime we have produced here and every year continues to be more exciting and popular! We hope that you will enjoy watching this dream of a fairytale as much as we have enjoyed producing it.
For the 2024/2025 season we are producing eight professional pantomimes in Spalding, Bolton, Grantham, Harpenden, Grays, Hastings, Cannock and Bristol. Our pantomimes are consistently of the highest standards and we are delighted that every year we get to work with exceptionally talented performers, wonderful theatre staff, dedicated and hard working backstage teams, and our amazing creative teams - all of who put 100% effort into making our shows accessible and successful!
Since 2005 we have produced professional productions of Aladdin, Jack & The Beanstalk, Peter Pan, Robin Hood, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, The Wizard of Oz, Rapunzel, Dick Whittington and Beauty and the Beast.
We are delighted to be producing professional pantomime at the Eric Morecambe Centre again this year and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting your local theatre – we appreciate you spending your time with us and choosing to watch this production –
THANK YOU!
From all of us at Polka Dot Pantomimes, we hope you enjoy this wonderful show and we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2025!
Principal Cast
CARABOSSE - Vicki Vivacious
Vicki Vivacious is a drag superstar from season five of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, who has taken the worlds of stage and screen by storm! Being the first Cornish drag queen to ever appear on Ru Paul’s Drag Race, she has taken her home country and put it on the map.
After training at a top London musical theatre school, she has gone from strength to strength, joining drag supergroup The Supreme Fabulettes and touring with the likes of Little Mix, Danni Minogue and dancing for Pink at Wembley stadium.
PRINCESS AURORA - Jasmine Martinez
Jasmine began her creative journey in the performing arts industry at the age of 6 when she performed on stage in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Dartmouth Castle, working with Ex Bolshoi and Royal Ballet teacher Linda Goss, who continued to train Jasmine to a high level in classical ballet. This led to her appearance in a variety of independent films, such as 'Sir Lanval' as well as also featuring on TV in BBC’s 'Countryfile'. Growing up around her Spanish family who loved musicals from the Golden Age, Jasmine not only learned how to sing in Spanish as well as other languages, but became inspired by the likes of Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse and Judy Garland, leading to a new love for Musical Theatre. Jasmine moved to London to continue her training at the Urdang Academy, graduating in 2023 where she performed in her final year show as Helen Walsingham in 'Kipps, The New Half a Sixpence'.
Jasmine is super excited to be playing Princess Aurora in Polka Dot Pantomime’s 'Sleeping Beauty' this Christmas.
NANNY NORA - Joshua Handley
Josh has been performing, locally and professionally since the age of 6.
Theatre credits:
Benny Southstreet (Guys & Dolls, Palace Theatre, 2016) Fagin (Oliver! Witham Public Hall, 2016) Malcolm (Bedroom Farce, Thameside Theatre, 2017) Alfie (One Man Two Guvnors, Thameside Theatre, 2017) Arthur Kipps (Half a Sixpence, Palace Theatre, 2018) Magaldi (Evita, Towngate Theatre, 2019) Child Catcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Towngate Theatre, 2019) Mr Sowerberry (Oliver! Thameside Theatre, 2021)
This will be Josh’s fourth season with Polka Dot Pantomimes. After playing one of Cinderella’s beautiful stepsisters at the Thameside Theatre, Grays in 2021, he repeated the success here at the Eric Morecambe Centre in 2022. Last year he played Dame Dolly Doughnut and is beyond thrilled to be donning the frock once again and being back in Harpenden this Christmas - watch out fellas!
Josh can’t wait to be back with the Polka Dot family and is looking forward to seeing you all at the best Pantomime in the land!
CHESTER THE JESTER - Oscar Carson
Oscar started performing at a young age at jigsaw school of performing arts but decided to focus more on acting which led him to Trinity Youth Theatre in Tunbridge Wells where he performed in numerous shows over his time there. After a short break of a few years he went on to join yet another youth theatre, this time at the Oast Theatre in Tonbridge where he really honed his performance skills and developed his love for comedy.
Although being there for 4 years he only officially performed in one show, "Dracula the bloody truth" a slapstick comedy in which he played over 6 characters.
This is Oscar's second pantomime as a comic, having previously played “Buttons” in Cinderella at a theatre in Tenterden.
Oscar has also been a full time actor at Thorpe park resort but most recently has spent two seasons as part of the entertainment team at Haven holidays where he also go to dabble in playing a dame in their pantomime.
Oscar would like to dedicate his performance to his Nana Ivy, who would have loved to have seen him on stage
You can find Oscar on Instagram @carsonsqualitycomedy
PRINCE VALIANT - Sam Makepeace-Beach
Sam is thrilled to be donning his royal colours to join this year's production of Sleeping Beauty at the EMC Harpenden. Sam has previously played the Prince in Snow White at the Maltings Theatre Berwick where he received critical acclaim for his portrayal of ‘this dandy-like fop’ and had the audience in ‘fits of giggles’.
Originally from Peterborough, Sam moved to London to train at the London College of Music and since graduating in 2019 has enjoyed a successful career performing on cruise ships as a Lead Vocalist, playing the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz at the Compass Theatre Ickenham and portraying Dymotron (a poor man’s Buzz Lightyear) in the tour of The Night Before Christmas. Returning to the stage for the first time since his knee surgery last year, Sam is excited to be thigh slapping his way into the role of the fun-knee yet vain Prince Valiant (Pardon the pun).
Whilst away from the stage Sam can be found on the golf course, on a climbing wall or on a football pitch, really any sport will do, he isn’t fussy. Recently, Sam has been writing and developing his first play, alongside teaching acting at LMA London, helping to inspire the next generation of panto princes, charismatic comics and delightful dames.
Sam is excited to be spending the Christmas period with the people of Harpenden and is looking forward to seeing you all very soon.
FAIRY NUFF - Charlie Morris
Charlie began her training at Dansworks Dance Academy in Lancashire before going on to complete a diploma in musical theatre at the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama in Nottingham. Charlie then went on to perform in production shows in Malta with Bubbles Entertainment, then in Spain with Artsight productions and most recently in the UK with TAG live.
Charlie is thrilled to be joining the cast of Sleeping Beauty for this festive season. This will be Charlie's first Pantomime and she can't wait to add a splash of fairy dust to this spectacular production, along with a dash of her northern charm.
KING STEFAN - Damian Escayg
Damian trained at the Poor School and graduated in 2014. He is a versatile actor best known for his zany comedic performance. His theatre credits include Hamlet at the Riverside Studios and the tour of Tomorrow May Be My Last - the Janis Joplin story, as Run Rabbit. His recent comedy credits include two episodes of B@IT and an episode of Shutdown, both for Channel 4. Damian also regularly performs on the London comedy circuit and at the Edinburgh Fringe as his alter ego, Crystal Balls. Damian is a writer too. He produced, directed and acted in his first play, Tales from the Socialist Crypt, at the final production at the Bread and Roses Theatre, in 2020.
Damian realised all of his acting ambitions by playing a pantomime dame in the adult panto, Aladdin, at the Star Inn. Nonetheless, he is ecstatic to be returning to Panto as King Stefan.
Ensemble
ERIN CHINA-SAWYER – PROFESSIONAL DANCER & UNDERSTUDY
Erin grew up in a small town in North Devon, where she started dancing at Lindsey Ballet Studios from a young age. She went on to train at Emil Dale Academy in Hitchin.
During her training, Erin’s credits include playing Maggie in
‘A Chorus Line’ and Ensemble/Dance Captain in ‘Pippin’.
She is so excited to be a part of this magical production and would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support and hopes you enjoy the pantomime!
NED DOHERTY – PROFESSIONAL DANCER & UNDERSTUDY
Ned is excited to be making his professional panto debut in Polka Dots' Sleeping Beauty this Christmas. Ned lives in the New Forest just outside of Bournemouth, and is in his graduating year at Emil Dale Academy. He would like to thank his family for their constant support, as well as the team at Emil Dale. He hopes to bring excitement and fun over the festive period!
Credits while training include: Judge Turpin in Sweeny Todd, Pippin in Pippin, Captain Corcoran in HMS Pinafore, Young Company in Dick Whittington Pantomime, (Poole Lighthouse)
SOPHIE MARTINELLI – PROFESSIONAL DANCER & UNDERSTUDY
Sophie grew up in Welwyn Garden City where she began her dance training from the age of 12. She went on to pursue Musical Theatre as a career at the age of 16 when she was accepted into Emil Dale Academy and has continued her training there onto the Degree course.
Credits whilst training include: Ensemble in Footloose, Ensemble in HMS Pinafore, Ensemble in The Bakers Wife, Ensemble/1st Cover Alison/Dance Captain in Hocus Pocus, Ensemble/1st Cover Beggar Women/Dance Captain in Sweeney Todd.
WILL SAVAGE – PROFESSIONAL DANCER & UNDERSTUDY
Will is delighted to be performing in his panto debut in Sleeping Beauty with Polka Dot Pantomimes, for this fun and festive period.
Will is originally from Loughborough. He is in his final year at Emil Dale Academy and will be graduating with a BA (hons) in Musical Theatre.
He would like to thank all of his family and friends who have constantly helped push him with their love and support. Will is excited to share the magical Christmas cheer to all of these people and all who come to watch.
Credits Whilst training include - Zach in A Chorus Line, Pippin in Pippin.
Scene Synopsis
ACT ONE
Prologue - AMONGST THE CLOUDS
Scene 1 - THE CASTLE COURTYARD
Scene 2 - THE ROAD TO THE CASTLE
Scene 3 – THE CASTLE GARDENS
Scene 4 – THE ROAD TO THE CASTLE
Scene 5 – NANNY NORA’S KITCHEN
Scene 6 - THE EDGE OF THE FOREST
Scene 7 - THE CASTLE TOWER
ACT 2
Scene 1 – AMONGST THE CLOUDS
Scene 2 – THE GREAT HALL
Scene 3 – THE EDGE OF THE FOREST
Scene 4 – BATTLE OF THE DRAGON
Scene 5 – PRINCESS AURORA’S SECRET CHAMBER
Scene 6 - THE GREAT HALL
Scene 7 – THE EDGE OF THE FOREST
Scene 8 – CARABOSSES’S CHAMBER
Scene 9 – THE ROAD TO THE CASTLE
Scene 10 – THE GREAT HALL
Song List
ACT ONE
Song 1 – OVERTURE & PROLOGUE
Song 2 – DON’T STOP ME NOW
Song 3 – I’M SO EXCITED
Song 4 – JUST HAVEN’T MET YOU YET
Song 5 – SYMPHONY
Sing 6 – TEAMWORK
Song 7 – LIFE I NEVER LED
Song 8 – DANCING THROUGH TIME
ACT 2
Song 9 – ENTERACTE
Song 10 – BOOGIE WONDERLAND
Song 11 – SYMPHONY REPRISE
Song 12 – TEXAS HOLD EM GHOST GAG
Song 13 – WOMAN’S WORLD
Song 14 – ABOUT YOU NOW
Song 15 – MUSIC MAN SONG SHEET
Song 16 – I’M A BELIEVER BOWS
Song 17 – I’M A BELIEVER REPRISE
Production Team
DIRECTOR: NATASHA BROOKE
CHOREOGRAPHER: GEMMA TRAUGHTON
WRITERS: DARREN MADDISON, PHIL NORTON & LUKE ATTWOOD
MUSICAL SUPERVISOR: STEVE HESSION
VOCAL COACH: NATASHA BROOKE
SCENERY: PAUL LAZELL
COSTUMES: POLKA DOT PANTOMIMES
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER: GENEVIEVE BLAIS
DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER: LAUREN TEARLE
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: LOTTE POWLES
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: ALICE MARTIN
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: ROB ROMAINE
Polka Dot Pantomimes
COMPANY DIRECTOR: DARREN MADDISON
PRODUCER: CATHERINE MAYER
TECHNICAL PRODUCER: BEV A.M. PASKELL
FINANCE: HELEN WRIGHT
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: TONY MAYER
ADMINISTRATOR: ELAINE BARRON-CLARK
HEAD OF CASTING: LUKE ATTWOOD
SOCIAL MEDIA: JOEY RODAK
MUSICAL SUPERVISOR: STEVE HESSION
Eric Morecambe Centre
Heads of Department
Contract Manager | Steve Cox
Theatre Contract Manager | Jo Ditch
Theatre Manager | Kate Barton
Operations Manager | Joe Martin
Everyone Theatre Technical Manager | Dave Nott
Technical Manager | Ben Palmer
Finance and Admin Manager | Cheryl Cherry
Ticketing Manager | Davina Lines
Front of House Manager | Lauren Budd
Marketing Manager | Tanya Russell
Marketing Designer | Katie Duffett, Sam Lai
Marketing Assistant | Angela Connery
Operations team:
Briony, Susan, Debbie, Tim, Catherine, Nico, Kirsty, Gavin, Stuart
Technical Team:
Giles, Ryan
Box Office Supervisors
Courtney, Alex, Helen
Box Office Assistants
Liz, Bradley, Jason, Jacky, Danny, Maz
FOH team
Luci, Seth, Haseeb, Charlie H, Abi, Jamie, Jenni, Pip, Levon, Freya, Kirsty, Gavin, Raffi, David C, Sandra, Kayleigh, Daisy, Hayley, Danny, Sophie, Siobhan, Sibelle, David L, Ro, Tia, Tara, Rimi, Kelly, Rosa, Emma, Louise, Lewis, Fiona, Cate, Imola, Thelma, Margaret, Jon, Noel, Mick, Jacky, Bradley, Rayne, Robert, Ross, Ruby, Daniel, Jessica, Izzy, Stuart, Amelia, Annie, Katie
