Beauty and the Beast

It was nice once again to be invited by The Over Players to see their annual pantomime, this time Beauty and the Beast   This wasn’t the Disney version but a traditional Panto in every way.

Director and Choreographer Jack Stinton took up the challenge of creating this non-Disney Beauty and the Beast with a script by Toby Bradford and Tina Webster which had a couple of nice twists on the old familiar tale.  Whilst it didn’t have dancing furniture, clocks and tea pots it did have talking suits of armour and singing paintings and while not quite the usual storyline, did have all the ingredients of the traditional tale.

Musical Director, Mike Barnard found a nice selection of songs and had obviously worked hard with the chorus. The singing from the large Chorus was very good. 

The technical team played a good part in this production. The scenery and props were excellent.   The costumes were all beautiful and very colourful. Make up, lighting and sound all greatly enhanced this production too. I loved the snow storms.

There were good performances from all the principals:

Matthew Sweeney this year in the guise of Dame Dolly looked extremely glamorous and had his usual great rapport with the audience. 

Charlie Brown and Emma Matthews as Chardonnay and Lambrini, Belle’s horrendously selfish “ugly sisters” obviously relished their roles. They complemented each other well and both have great voices.  Well done ladies!

Kirsty Smillie made a lovely Belle.  She has a great singing voice and there was a nice affinity too with Richard Fenwick who did a fine job as Papa.

Chas Barclay was in his element as Jean Claude.  He had the swagger and conceit of the man, with good projection and a slightly tongue-in-cheek delivery and a hint of Black Adder’s Lord Flashheart.

Oliver Hockin was first-rate in the dual role of Prince Louis/The Beast giving an excellent performance throughout.  A nod of approval too for Jason Smart for his neat but brief appearance as The Beast.

In the role of Jacques Harry Ashby was good but I did have trouble hearing him as he delivered his lines rather softly.  Personally I would have liked him to perhaps have been firmer with the Prince with a bit more attack in his delivery.

Abigail Law was a very sweet Rose Fairy and, in contrast, Jane Beresford played a believable evil Countess Cruella.

Mustn’t forget of course Anita Pisani and Caroline Newman as GiGi the family horse. 

The principals were backed by a very able Ensemble, many of whom had minor speaking roles. Throughout the singing was good and the dance routines were executed well.  I must give a special well done to the junior dancers who performed The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy with Fairy Rose which was lovely. 

This was a bright and colourful if over-long production and whilst the pace was slow at times due to lack of cue-bite, Director Jack Stinton can be proud of his cast and crew.  However, I have yet to decide whether to forgive him for having to sing Baby Shark five times!  Once again thank you TOPS for an enjoyable evening.

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