Beauty and the Beast

I remember, with affection, Tom Whalley appearing as a very glamorous “dame” in pantos presented by Whickham Theatre Club.  He always knew exactly how to deliver a saucy line.  Now, he proves he knows how to write them too, in Ponteland Repertory Society’s version of Beauty and the Beast.  Additionally, Ponteland have experimented this year with electronic sets and backing tracks.  All in all, the experiment comes off.  The sets are really impressive, giving the illusion of stretching right to the footlights.  The backing tracks, I occasionally found a little loud, making it a little difficult to hear the singing and, particularly, the words.
 
Whilst the narrative here follows a quite traditional re-telling of the fairy tale, characters acquire new, often descriptive names.  Early in proceedings we meet Prince Claude (Kieron Murray) who falls under the malign influence of sorceress, Sacre Bleu (Suzie Neve).  All because she feels she’s been slighted, she curses him to take on the appearance of “the Beast”.  Suzie is an impressive dark presence whenever she appears to a suitable round of boos and hisses.  Her nemesis is the Spirit of the Mirror (Caroline Reynolds), more loveable but less formidable.  Keiron has an impressive singing voice, booming out from behind the mask when appropriate  Our heroine, Belle, is, played by Amber Covington,  who gives an engaging performance and, when the time arrives, sings nicely in duet with Keiron.. 
 
This being a panto., we require comedy in the form of a Dame, here called Nanny Nightnurse (Alexander Neal) who along with amusing son, Brie (Claire Long) creates considerable confusion and amusement.  Belle’s kindly father is Professor Philippe (Jason Long), a man with an inventive mind who never quite invents anything, but clearly cares for his daughter.  Franque, the village stud (he thinks), is Mike Giblin, who poses manfully, having his every whim attended to by Clochard (Sarah Blythe).  In the castle we also meet Gav Stevenson Warrender as Sale (the Salt Cellar) and Sue Clugston as Poivre (the Pepper Pot) who have become condiments as part of the curse, Fourchette (the Fork), played by the aforementioned Suzie Neve and Culiere (the Spoon), a part shared by youngsters Alix and April.  A small chorus of Chloe Cooper, Kate Wallace, Colin Richardson and Simon Rettig complete the ensemble filling in all and any spaces there might otherwise have been.

As we know (or might suspect), the only thing to overcome the Beast’s dilemma is true love and the kiss of a fair maiden.  Belle, seeing true goodness beyond his unfortunate appearance, is only too willing to oblige!  Well, she has to, doesn’t she?  And when she does he once again becomes the Prince

As always, Ponteland present a warm and entertaining pantomime and the cast all perform their parts with suitable enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the musical numbers are not identified in the programme so I have not been able to refer to them in the body of this report.  The audience, particularly the children. seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, as did the cast.  I am happy to admit leaving the Memorial Hall imbued with a suitably warm Christmassy feeling.

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