Beauty and the Beast

Having performed as Alphonse in Alan P. Frayn's Beauty and the Beast pantomime myself, I was very familiar with the lively fun-filled script. Even the novel switch of your mobile phone message just before curtain up was really funny, setting the tone well for what was to follow.

Again Ian and fellow producer Debs Hill have continued their vision for the theatre and community by following on from 2018's award-winning Aladdin a fully signed show, as the whole cast signed the last big number.

Belle, Siobhan Hammond gave a lovely performance,a positive role model for anyone watching, seeing the best or potential good in everyone, fiercely protective of her family despite the animosity of her two beauty parlour loving sisters.

Brittney and Whitney, Rebecca Mills and Kirsty Heath respectively. Gloriously self absorbed, totally obnoxious, played the script to perfection, seemingly on a personal mission of keeping the local beauty palour in business.

Jacques, Chris Mulroy, simply superb. Great timing, good voice and played the audience to perfection.

Russ Williams bravado as Gustave was excellent, big hints of Elvis at times, he lead the cast singing several songs having the audience up and joining in, very infectious, I especially enjoyed “Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting”.

Alphonse, Rob Mills, Lovely understated performance.

Prince Danton/Beast, Adam Allcock; Presence on stage was good, carried, himself well in both roles.

The beauty parlour staff the Marbellous Monique and Marcel, Madison Crowther, who also choreographed the show and Dan Dayle were a really good combination, bouncing off one another, unashamedly fleecing the sisters, with their potions and lotions, good visual comedy interplay with Madam Fifi as well.

Beautiful costumes throughout for all of the cast, lovely to see how engaged and enthusiastic they all were. As usual Ian's amazing gowns were fantastic, suitably OTT, as is right and proper for a Dame.

Melanie Fox-Crowther not content to Co-Direct with Debs Hill, she also added her talents as Musical Director together with being an utterly horrible baddie Belladonna. Playing opposite her sweetly voiced daughter Imogen Crowther as Flora the Good Fairy must have lead to some interesting dynamics at home, I loved their duet, Pat Benetar's “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”.

Madam Fifi, Ian Hill - This performance was an incredible example of the old adage “The Show Must Go On” as I have previously stated DE Caversmill's Dameship was handed down from father Alan Hill to son Ian; mum Chris Hill was also another strong personality in the very core of the group, who help raise the vision of all involved. Sadly Ian came to us before the show to tell us of his mum's very recent passing away.

As a personal aside, I would just like to pay a deeply heartfelt tribute to everyone both on and off stage who gave a fitting send off to Chris. Having met Chris and Alan initially through my wife Jan working with Chris, over forty years ago, prior to any theatre involvement, it was a tremendous shock to hear the sad news, we'll miss her.

 

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