Much beloved by Disney, and by Cocteau, Beauty and the Beast is the timeless fairytale chosen by Crossroads Live as the Richmond Theatre’s 2024 panto.
Who:
Written by Alan McHugh, directed by Paul Robinson
Where and when:
Richmond Theatre, to 5 Jan 2025. Ticket link: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/beauty-and-the-beast/richmond-theatre/
Cast:
Maureen Lipman, Pete Firman, Ben Stock, Luke McCall, Jason Leigh Winter, Cherece Richards and Hope Dawe (plus ensemble Imogen Amos, Ethan Atkinson, Meg Darcy, George Deller, Hollie Kate and Catherine Puri).
Basic plot:
Prince Sebastian is cursed for his selfishness and vanity and is turned into a Beast. The curse can only be lifted if he finds true love before the last petal of a magic rose falls.
Pretty Belle is sought after by the bad guy, Flash Harry, and loved by her friend, Silly Billy. Will the spell be broken by the final scene?
Characters and performances:
Belle (Dawe) and Beast (McCall) are a sweet couple, while Betty Bouffant (Stock) and Silly Billy (an outstanding Firman) offer comedy and a bit of magic.
The Enchantress (Richards) is more narrator than active participant in the story while Mrs Potty (Lipman) and Flash Harry (Winter) don’t quite capture the rapport or connection with the material.
Audience interaction:
Good. A couple of people are picked out to join in with a classic trick, while a group of children join in a song. There isn’t a lot of off the cuff interaction, though, and a lack of boos and ‘it’s behind yous’.
Atmosphere:
Good, warm, engaged. However a couple of scenes dragged a bit (perhaps because there are limits with this particular story to be silly) and a large number of blackouts served to separate scenes when other means might be used to entertain.
Music:
Less reliance on musical theatre or common pop numbers than other shows, but played well by the orchestra (conducted by Pierce Tee).
With actors from musical theatre, the vocals are generally good.
Technical:
Excellent lighting (Tim Oliver) and sound design (Nick Sagar), and dance routines choreographed by Jnny Thomas.
Cuteness factor:
Nothing in particular – there are some wolves but they are not exactly cute.
Regional/contemporary relevance:
Feltham, Sheen, Strawberry Hill, and West Byfleet (!) are all referenced, plus references to Jacob Rees Mogg and the winter fuel allowance. And Lipman’s Coronation Street role gives rise to topical references to the programme
Final verdict:
3*
This is an entertaining but not outstanding panto. Although the cast members do well enough in their roles, they don’t really gel enough to bounce off each other, although this show’s tongue twister is a fun one.
There’s also a missed opportunity to use Mrs Potty and the enchanted objects in the house in more than one scene. I was left wanting just a little bit more magic.
Image credit: Danny Kaan