Beauty and The Beast

 This  Ben Crocker script was great fun and full of interest.  The packed audience made it obvious that they loved it and were involved from the beginning with the narrator goading them  into responding.   It was a talented cast with everyone  committed to the panto's success.  So many great characters.  The poodle, so very french, so coquettish,  so much fun, and Jacques' attempts to train her just adding to the comedy.  The Beast, a powerful  presence and you could  feel his frustration at being trapped in that body.  Capucine  the splendid blacksmith.  Malabelle the  witch, so vain, and then the fabulous moment when her wig fell off !  Crazy moments like that are the very essence of panto.   It was the actor's first appearance as the Dame and he will most certainly find himself in demand for that role again !   It was lovely to see two young people playing Beauty and Prince Christoph,  and such beautiful singing  voices.   The "furniture and fittings" were  well costumed and very much in  character, if that can be said of someone playing a chest of drawers or a painting !   It was good to see  two youngsters  playing the waiter and waitress with confidence.  I  loved the children's chorus, so many great costumes and characters, so much energy.   Panto is a lovely introduction to theatre  for children, both in the audience and on stage.  It will be interesting to see how many of them stay with this group through their teens , and beyond !  There was a delightful ballet dancer  and  Wow - the music and singing !  Fabulous voices and I was completely taken  aback when at the end Malabelle, the witch,  stepped off the stage and conducted the cast in some glorious singing.  That is not often heard at the average panto !

The set was cleverly designed so that the flats could be rotated or unfolded so that scene changes were speedy and became a fun part of the panto.  The lighting and sound were just what was needed.  It was no surprise to see that there was a team of five organising the costumes, there were so many and they were delightful.  

The wonderful singing - solos, duets and choruses - was such a joy with an accomplished  band of keyboard, guitar, bass and cajon.

This was a super village panto.

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