Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast has become a classic pantomime that several societies have performed in recent years.

Choreography by Alycia Ball was simple, but everyone went in the same direction using the same hand, it was obviously rehearsed well, and was effective.

Prince Danton/ The Beast was played by Sophie Ogle, she had a lovely voice and fabulous diction she held the stage well.  Amy Connor played Belle and for someone so young she did a good job in a difficult role.

Krystel Howard played Flora and she had a lovely innocence about her.  Belladonna the pantomime villain played by Tanja Carnell, when in character was good, however at times I felt she lost character a little due to ad libbing with the audience.

Whitney and Britney played by Jen Martin and Alison Rapley respectively, both delivered some lovely one liners. Lyn Hudson and Alfie Bennett played the other double act Monique and Marcel, Lyn had a very good  TOWIE accent and mannerisms, and Alfie played the character with enthusiasm, and I really liked his costume, very colourful and appropriate for his character.

Thomas Pyle played Gustave and he has a super voice.  Grant Murphy played the Dame Madame Fifi, he had a good rapport with the audience, however I felt there needed to be more pace in his dialogue, to add more impact.

Jacques (Suzanne Holbard) had good comic timing and played the traditional knock about character well.  Alphonse, Belle’s dad (Paul Matthews) showed a good paternal instinct towards Belle.  Monsieur or Madame on this performance Le Fou played by Pam Murphy was great, I was impressed with her performance bearing in mind I would not have held it against her, had she had the script in her hand, well done!

The set designed by Alan Shields, had some lovely ideas, I liked the gates, and I was really impressed with the mirror and how it was used throughout the performance.  The salon was well designed, but I felt the routine needed more pace to get to the punchline at the end.

I really liked the costumes considering they are all made, Gustave, The Prince and Belle’s yellow dress were costumes I particularly liked.

I want to thank Jeni Paris and her front of house team for their hospitality, and it was lovely to have time to speak to Laura Waddington the director.

Scott Welch

Reps district 9

NODA East

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