Beauty and the Beast The Pantomime

CATS  –  BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, The Pantomime

Entertainment overload for Cheadle Amateur Theatrical Society, two Pantomimes in one year are CATS mad for it? Their latest production Beauty and the Beast The Pantomime, script by director James Walker channelling his ghost of pantomimes past and lots of gin apparently.

The perfect opening scene setting, from the tantalisingly wicked Fairy Blackheart, Natasha Houlihan and super lovely fluffy Fairy Nuff, Miriam Lucy. Great fairy battle between these two. Great version of Fighter from Fairy Blackheart.

A bright and breezy light opening number, ushering in wave after wave of multi-aged young, enthusiastic smiling dancers, culminating in an impressive kick-line.

Bella, Katherine Harrison-Swann, imbued the role, winning personality, her nose almost perpetually buried in a book, nice to everyone, even the hideous Beast, Eve Phillips, good vocal effect used on her Beast lines.    

Dame Nanny Cham-Payne, Dan Ede Smith rocked her role, great interaction with the cast, the script really worked well, together with Caroline Stokes, as infectious Ollie Oddball, generated most of the comedy. It will take a while not to say Oi! Oi! Oi! every time we see Caroline.

Mr Babcock, Bella’s dad, Tim Ray, together with his horse Lucky, Olivia Goodhew did a great Me and My Shadow number nice duet indeed.

Bella’s two narcissistic sisters Clover and Flora, Sophie Peach and Imogen Stirley respectably were excellent, total airheads, good voices and dancing.

Absolutely fantastic costumes throughout, hats off to the Wardrobe team, lighting, sound aided and abetted by live keyboards and drums, together with fabulous song choices really drove the show in parts.

Choreography, from the toes of Kezzie Carter, assisted by Charlotte Potts and Amelia Snow, with so many dancers not an easy task, they did a great job.

Director James Walker brought us a vibrant entertaining version of the well-known classic tale. CATS seem to have adapted to their new home and made the most of the physicality of the venue, the use of two giant books either side of the stage to act as scenery was a clever idea, as was using the fairies to turn the pages.

 

 

 

 

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