Panto Review: Beauty and the Beast (Richmond Theatre)

Much loved by Disney and by Cocteau, Beauty and the Beast is the timeless adventure chosen by Crossroads Live as Richmond Theatre’s 2024 panto.

WHO:

Written by Alan McHugh, directed by Paul Robinson

Where and when:

Richmond Theatre, until 5 January 2025. Ticket link:

Cast:

Maureen Lipman, Pete Firman, Ben Stock, Luke McCall, Jason Leigh Winter, Cherece Richards and Hope Dawe (plus the ensemble of 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 transformed into a Beast. The curse can only be lifted if he finds true love before the last petal of a magical rose falls.

Pretty Belle is coveted by the bad guy, Flash Harry, and loved by her friend, Silly Billy. Will the spell be broken by the final scene?

Grades and Achievements:

Belle (Dawe) and Beast (McCall) make a cute couple, while Betty Bouffant (Stock) and Silly Billy (an excellent company) 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 relationship or connection to the material.

Audience Interaction:

Good. A few people are chosen to join in with a classic trick, while a group of children join in a song. There isn’t much off-the-cuff interaction though, and a lack of boos and ‘it’s behind you’.

Atmosphere:

Good, warm, committed. However, a few scenes dragged a bit (perhaps because there are limits to how silly this particular story is), and a large number of blackouts served to separate scenes when other means could be used to entertain.

Music:

Less dependent on musical theater or mainstream 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 special – there are some wolves, but they’re 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 Kroningsgade role gives rise to current references to the program

Final verdict:

3*

This is an entertaining but not exceptional panto. While the cast members do well enough in their roles, they don’t really gel enough to bounce off each other, even if this show’s tongue twisters are fun.

There is also a missed opportunity to use Mrs Potty and the enchanted items in the house in more than one scene. I wanted a little bit more magic.

Image credit: Danny Kaan