Tale as old as time, true as it can be, Beauty and the Beast has roared its way into Richmond Theatre, and it’s the very best panto this beautiful venue has seen for years.
OUR VERDICT
The familiar plot, popularised by Disney, tells the tale of local village girl, Belle, who finds herself trapped in the cursed Richmond Castle (of course) with a terrifying beast. Helped along by magical characters and a flamboyant fleet of family and friends, can Belle see beyond the monster and fall in love with her captor before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose? Of course she can, it’s panto!
Absolutely everything has been thrown at this all-singing all-dancing festive romp, and it is irresistibly entertaining from the off. Costumes sparkle, pyrotechnics pop and songs are belted out, it’s an immediately impressive welcome to the wonders of pantoland.
Amongst the special effects and sparkling sets is a talented and enthusiastic company who seem to be really enjoying themselves.
Actress Dame Maureen Lipman is the big name this year, she stars as Mrs Potty and has taken to panto life very well indeed. She delivers some good gags and excels in the show’s hilarious tongue-twister scene.
Hope Dawe is a charming Belle, bedecked in blue sequins, whilst Jason Leigh Winter is brilliant as bicep-flexing baddie Flash Harry, who may or may not be banished to West Byfleet for his bad behaviour…
Cherece Richards (The Enchantress) and Luke McCall (Prince Sebastian/The Beast) both bring excellent vocal quality to proceedings; their commanding duet at the end of Act 1 wouldn’t feel out of place in the West End.
Whilst McCall’s competent (and impressively costumed) Beast adds a sense of gravitas, there is also plenty of festive frivolity to be found. Following award-winning Ugly Sister performances across an impressive 19 seasons, magnificent musical theatre and cabaret star Ben Stock makes the perfect Dame.
With charismatic energy and a sensational smile that lights up the theatre, his confident Betty Bouffant – or should I say ‘machete Betty’ – is everything the character should be: warm, sassy, and irresistibly good fun.
Comedy magician Pete Firman (Silly Billy) is the glittery glue that holds this sparkling show together.
Multi-talented and incredibly likeable, he darts around the stage delighting both young and old, carefully balancing panto fun for little ones with a knowing, slightly dryer sense of humour for the grown-ups. His marvellous magic tricks and masterful audience work provide some of the show’s most memorable highlights.
All high kicks and hair flicks, a talented ensemble offer sparkling support and more than manage the impressive choreography.
There are some spectacular costumes too – the story’s iconic dance number, featuring twirling cups and saucers, a flamboyant candelabra and a dancing grandfather clock, more than delivers.
A terrific live orchestra ensure toe-tapping throughout – an Ed Sheeran number has been reworked for Belle and the Beast’s big romantic number, and there’s a particularly enjoyable moment featuring some hip-hop-inspired ghosts...
From start to finish, there’s a palpable sense of quality across every aspect of this festive variety show.
Richmond’s beautiful Beauty and the Beast is packed with good gags, mountains of magic and plenty of sparkle, but it’s the brilliant company that really make it the perfect panto.
Until 05 January 2025. Tickets from £13, subject to a transaction fee of £3.95; atgtickets.com
