Beauty and the Beast

With a cast that was inclusive of all age groups this production of Beauty and the Beast from Pleasure Folk AMS directed and choreographed by Gemma Briscoe was a very enjoyable family pantomime performed by a talented and enthusiastic cast. As the curtain opened we were transported to the bright and colourful village of Pettitt Pois where we met the villagers and the lovely Belle who likes to read books preferably fairy tales, Belle was played very nicely by Bronte Geldart who sang and acted well. We also meet in the village Dame Dolly, Belle’s mother and owner of the local Café played with his usual expertise by Jim Briscoe who was helped in his comedy capers by his other daughters and Belle’s sisters Chardonnay – Anita Hutson and Lambrini – Katie Geldart. Another very good entertaining comedy character from the village was the self-absorbed Jean-Claude excellently played by Steve Rutter, who thinks there is no other man as handsome as he is and Belle should marry him as no women can resist him. But Belle meets Prince Louis - Sancha Wheble, who complemented Bronte very well both making a very good pantomime couple.  Prince Louis was traveling home with his sidekick and friend the sensible and loyal Jacques- Liz Wainwright. when he meets Belle and falls in love with her. But unfortunately the wicked Countess Cruella - Robyn Bradnock who got lots of boos from the audience, wants the Prince for herself and is determined that he should marry her, but when he refuses her she casts a spell and turns him into a Beast which will only be broken when he agrees to marry her. The Beast was very well played by Steve Coghlan with just the right level of beastliness for the children in the audience. However, The Rose Fairy – Beth McClelland cast a counter spell against Cruella’s awful spell over the Prince, meaning it will be broken if someone falls in love with him as the Beast, but there is a time limit as the spell will only last until a rose she gives the Prince withers and dies, Beth’s Rose Fairy wasn’t the usual Fairy we have come to associate with pantomime as she wore a red beret, a pencil slim red skirt and spoke with a good French accent, although she did have wings and I am glad to say this worked very well. Of course by the end of the pantomime Belle had fallen in love with the Beast and everything turned out well and everyone lived Happily Ever After!!.

There were also some good important performances from the actors in the supporting roles and along with the chorus of adults and children all performed with a great deal of enthusiasm supporting the principal cast very well and looking if they were enjoying themselves immensely.
The band led by Musical Director Nancy Wells played and supported the cast excellently and choreography by Gemma Briscoe was well thought out and suited the production. Generally, diction and clarity of words was excellent meaning the story could be followed easily, the acting and singing was good and the pace of the production was just right. The scenery and props enhanced the show and fitted the venue well and costumes were bright, colourful and it was obvious thought had gone into getting them just right for the story and production

There was plenty of noise and the usual responses and excitement expected from a pantomime audience. So if the success of a pantomime is measured by the audience’s reaction then this show was a certain success

Congratulations to Gemma Briscoe and to all involved in this very enjoyable production thank you for inviting us, we had a lovely evening.

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