Plenty of laughs are on offer for adults as well as the “little ones” at Perth Theatre’s brand new panto for the 21st Century, Sleeping Beauty which opens on Thursday 8th December 2005.

The magical fairytale has been specially revamped and re-written by Perth Theatre’s Creative Director Ian Grieve and actor Jimmy Chisholm, who is also making his debut as a Dame in this production at Perth.

It promises to have all the elements which make the perfect panto – incorporating modern influences as well as the traditional. There will be fun characters, a strong story, and comedy to suit all ages, combined with the pantomime necessities we all know and love such as the Dame, audience participation and the ultimate finale - the song sheet.

Father of two Ian Grieve acquired most of his inspiration for the production from his own children and looked closely to the type of movies they were watching.

“Both Jimmy and I have kids and we were aware that children absolutely love films such as Toy Story, Shrek and Shark Tale,” says Ian Grieve. “We were very conscious that they all had strong stories and identifiable characters as well as a very modern and sophisticated sense of humour which can appeal to children at one level and adults at another.”

“So, we wanted to produce a production that wasn’t locked in a previous time, which can be really fun one minute then scary the next and something that both kids and adults will enjoy. I think we’ve managed to do this with Sleeping Beauty.”

Perth Theatre’s Christmas fairytale begins when Nurse McCuddles (Jimmy Chisholm) arrives at the castle of Duke Douglas (Mark Cox) and the Lady Prudence (Helen Logan) in the glorious land of Perfectia. She applies for the job of nursemaid to their newly born daughter, Beauty (Gail Watson) so called because it is believed she will grow to be the greatest beauty in the land.

The Christening celebrations are cut short when the evil witch, Dementia, (Amanda Beveridge) arrives uninvited and curses the little one to die before she reaches the age of 18. This forces Nurse McCuddles to reveal who she really is.

Both children and adults can expect to be a big part of the Sleeping Beauty adventure:

“There will be lots of audience participation and chance for people to get up on their feet and dance, which was very important to us,” adds Ian.

The show also features a fabulous cast: Jimmy Chisholm as Nurse McCuddles and Fairy Nuff; star of cult TV comedy show Still Game, Mark Cox as Duke Douglas and Fat Bat. Amanda Beveridge as Dementia, Stephen Clyde as Rupert the Rascal, Joe Gallagher as Chamberlain, Helen Logan as Lady Prudence/Hot Bot, Greg Powrie as Prince Ninny/Prince Whinny and Gail Watson as Sleeping Beauty.

When asked what part of the show the audience will particularly enjoy, Ian says:

“Hopefully they’ll love every bit of it. But there’s a terrific part where the audience needs to summon up enough magic to get the fairy to reverse the witch’s evil curse, this involves every single person in the theatre. The children are just going to love it.”

The fun starts Thursday 8 December 2005 and continues until Saturday 7 January 2006. Performances at 7.45pm and various matinees 2.30pm.

Prices from £15.50 adults, £11.50 concessions, £9.50 children. T: 0845 612 6319 or log onto www.horsecross.co.uk