Review: Princess Sparkles at The Wardrobe Theatre

An enjoyable piece of theatre bringing together character acting with a slightly tense children’s birthday party

Princess Sparkles is the “royalty free” children’s party entertainer at the end of her tether. Life is going wrong, she’s barely holding it together, yet, she has to provide an hour of princess fun for a child’s fourth birthday party. The crown is askew. Her dress hangs off of a shoulder. Hair is like a bird’s nest. She’s had to take the bus/carriage and turned up late.

It’s another celebrity’s child’s birthday bash. Pink glittery shoes are NOT allowed on the white carpet. Meanwhile, mummy disappears off for bubbles with her friends leaving the children, us, to participate in the mayhem.

Those of us who have been children’s party entertainers will recognise some of the mishaps. Particularly the anecdote of being weed on by a child. Every one will have at least one bodily fluids story.

It’s the perfect show for a Wardrobe Theatre audience. It’s funny throughout, featuring narrative driven character study, clowning and comedy. You can sense the rising tension as the party proceeds with Princess Sparkles’ tight voice just pitched slightly too high.

There’s a mishap with the glitter dust and a warning to keep the children away from the professional magic bubble man.

The audience becomes involved through the show. They make choices about content and join in with traditional birthday party games. It’s genuinely a lot of fun.

Eventually, the chaotic themes in Princess Sparkle’s life all bubbles to the surface during a story time. A prince and princess must meet, fall in love and live happily ever after. What does that even mean? Princess Sparkles asks.

We then get the breakdown. It’s the children’s party equivalent of Annie’s bridal shower breakdown in the movie Bridesmaids. Ultimately, the show ends on a high, with strong feelings of empowerment.

The show has been created by Lily Maryon. She’s a seasoned performer but Princess Sparkles is her debut show. It’s a genuinely entertaining piece of gentle and fun theatre.

And, this evening’s performance confirms that party games with adults, even with the involvement of alcohol, is a hell of a lot easier than the drama, tears and pass the parcel with the under fives.

For more about Princess Sparkles and Lily Maryon: https://www.instagram.com/princesssparklescomedy/

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