Review: Curse of the Sorcerer at Rose Theatre, Chesterfield

Evil sorcerer Ghenghis is shackled by a century-long spell, his brainless brother Shemenghis has a hunchback and a gammy leg.

Yodelling, folk dancing Brothers Grimm really aren’t what they seem and the beautiful damsel who looks like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth is a proper little madam.

Add into the mix a Riverdancing fairy godmother and a countess with a penchant for haute cuisine and you have the perfect Halloween hoot.

Curse of the Sorcerer at the Rose Theatre, Chesterfield, this week is a magical mix of fairytale, panto frolics and song that will bewitch all who fall under its spell.

Robert Laughlin and Susan Earnshaw milk the laughs as the super smiley, lederhosen-clad German siblings, the former morphing into the evil sorcerer and the latter playing his aristocratic mum whose comical song wouldn’t make it past the first stage of X Factor.

Ryan Mitchell shuffles around the stage as the golden-voiced hunchback with a secret crush on the damsel, played by Charlotte Noakes whose pretty singing is the key to unlocking the sorcerer’s spell.

This spellbinding show will have you convulsed with laughter and in no danger whatsoever of slipping into a coma which threatens damsel’s diabetic gran if she doesn’t deliver her cakes.

Curse of the Sorcerer is written by its musical director Jonathan Francis, directed by Karen Henson and choreographed by Roseanna Sanderson.

Indulge your family with this feast of fun today (Thursday, October 28) at 1.30pm and 7.30pm, tomorrow and Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets £12 (adults), £10 (children), available from www.rosetheatrechesterfield.co.uk or call 01246 271540.

Photo by Ian Boler