As I'm sure you'll appreciate,watching a production directed by, starring and produced by people you know can be a complex situation. Thankfully, Sleeping Beauty leaves me with no political minefields to trip through.

Rufus Norris's text provides a strong framework-taut, irreverent, wicked, contemporary. One foot in legend, one foot in the playground at the local comprehensive. Part Shrek, part Angela Carter, this version of the story has enough to satisfy the burping, farting Roald Dahl fans and the lovers of derring do and romance from times of Yore.

Andrew Howie's interpretation keeps things just the right side of pantomime - Andy is an expert at knowing how to please an audience. There is sterling work from the lighting and sound departments, and I particularly liked the sinister spinning-wheel that turned as the audience entered the hall - it simultaneously invites us into and warns us away from the world onstage.

The cast is a strong ensemble. The Malvern Gazette has reported in the past that CP has a cracking team of actors and I'm not going to disagree. The right balance of qurkiness and integrity is reached by everyone and it's true that the Young CP's upstage everyone else. I particularly enjoyed the thorny moments - I'm sure many of us have experienced similar moments onstage at Colwall. Special mention is reserved for Charlotte Lloyd's Beauty. She is utterly convincing, intelligent, sympathetic and displays enormous complexity. Fantastic work.

A terrific, roaring yarn for all the family, although a 'minimum age' could be a future option. A thoughful exploration of youth, autonomy, love, loyalty, magic and the merits of vegetarianism. I really enjoyed myself and big congratulations and thanks are due to all the team for a great production.

Lee Farley