RICHARD PARR The enterprising Fakenham and District Light Operatic Society has taken the fairy tale written by the famous Chicken Shed Theatre Company.

RICHARD PARR

The enterprising Fakenham and District Light Operatic Society has chosen to go down a refreshingly different road this year.

Fadlos is staging a production of this fairy tale written by the famous Chicken Shed Theatre Company.

It was first presented by the youth company to mark the millennium, and it is New Year's Eve 1999 when Sleeping Beauty awakes after 1000 years. The audience at Tuesday's opening night heartily joined in the New Year party.

A two-level castle set was strikingly effective and the costumes were eye-catching, adding to the overall colourful effect.

Hannah Bishop, with her clear, confident voice, gave a wonderful performance in the title role.

Her duet with the Prince (Steven Farmer) was particularly effective.

The comic partnerships of Mr Farmer and Ben Francis (as Pardon) and Jackie Overton (Inkling) and Robin Hawkes (Quakealot) were well played.

Linda Tree gave a wonderfully convincing performance as evil fairy Nightshade, and the principals and chorus sang some lovely songs and were ably accompanied by the five-strong musical ensemble.

Joint directors Grant Harrison and Paula Tuck can be congratulated on a refreshingly bright and lively show with some lovely comic touches.

t The show continunes until Saturday December 7 at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee.