Beauty and the Beast

After directing one pantomime, and being in another, I was ready for my turn to be able to shout ‘its behind you’ and ‘Oh yes it was!’

Wombwell Operatic Society have taken the classic story of Beauty and the Beast , and turned it in to a pantomime. 

This is the first time I have seen this title as a pantomime and up until now was only familiar with the Disney story. 

On the night I attended, the auditorium was filled with brownies, who were having the time of their life’s. 

The script was written by Barbara Bryars, who is a member of the society. I believe this was Barbara’s first script and she did a passable job. Barbara also directed the production along with Chris Wakeford, who also played the Dame, but more about that later.

In the title of roles of Beauty and the Beast we had Sally Bainbridge and Noel Molyneux. Sally perfectly portrayed our heroine and sang and acted beautifully. Noel, a relatively new comer to the stage, sang , danced and acted with ease. His rendition of ‘On My Own’ was the highlight of the evening. 

David Hill and Sue Gent played Beauty’s parents, Pierre and Dora Jar. David knows how to work an audience to get every laugh and reaction out of them, and Sue knows exactly what to do to get the Wombwell audiences on her side. The pair also had good on stage chemistry. In this version Beauty also had two spoilt sisters, Odette and Cecile, excellently portrayed by Caitlin Turner and Poppy Liptrott. The children in the audience were fascinated by Poppy’s hats!!

Another audience favourite was Gale Force Wind, Pierre’s tap dancing, wind breaking horse. This panto horse was in the more than capable hands of Ruth Bates and Lily Mansell. The pair managed to  pull every last laugh out of the character and tap danced perfectly. I must admit, every time the horse broke wind, I laughed hysterically. I don’t care how old you are, a trump, is still funny.

From one ‘village idiot’ to another, Terry Wainwright’s portrayal of the palace gardener, was great. His comic timing was just right and all in the audience loved him. 

Now, where would panto be without a Dame. Chris Wakeford was exceptional as Sue Flay, the palace cook. Never loosing character throughout, he was every inch the traditional pantomime Dame. It was disappointing tho, that the script didn’t allow him much time on stage, I would have loved to have seen more of this first class Dame. 

Colleen Owen, gave another great performance as Nicole, our wicked witch, who turned our handsome prince into the hideous beast. Again, Colleen knows just how to work an audience  to get every last boo and jeer out of them. Well done also to Colleen for some excellent choreography.

One small criticism would be I thought there were far too many musical numbers in the show.

With excellent costumes ( well done wardrobe team), stunning sets, this was traditional pantomime and its best.

Thanks to Ann and Les for your kind hospitality.

 

 

 

 

 

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