BEAUTY & THE BEAST

Seen by Stephen Fudge NODA South West District 7 rep on Thursday 22nd January 2026 for Mike Purnell NODA South West District 9

 

I was delighted to be asked by Mike to attend this production on his behalf, and I would like to begin by thanking Tim and the entire front-of-house team for the warm welcome extended to me on arrival. It was clear from the outset that the audience were fully in the spirit of panto season, and throughout the evening they remained firmly behind the cast, creating a lively and responsive atmosphere that greatly supported the performance.

As the show opened, I sensed some understandable opening-night nerves, which is entirely to be expected. Pleasingly, these quickly settled as the opening act progressed, allowing the performers to grow in confidence as the evening moved forward.

The set design was simple yet effective, with minor transitions clearly establishing each location and supporting the storytelling without unnecessary complication. One of the standout sequences of the evening for me was the salon scene, which delivered sustained belly laughs from start to finish. Every element of this scene landed strongly, with excellent comedy timing and well-judged visual humour adding an additional layer of entertainment that was clearly appreciated by the audience.

Costume design was another strong element of the production and is a real credit to Becky, whose work brought colour, character, and visual cohesion to the stage throughout the evening. The costumes supported each role effectively, enhancing both storytelling and characterisation. In addition, the props were of an equally high standard, integrating seamlessly into the action and contributing greatly, with each piece clearly chosen and utilised to serve the production well.

There were, however, moments where the overall pace and energy dipped. One particular scene set in the castle noticeably slowed momentum, which in pantomime can require considerable effort to rebuild audience engagement. Credit must be given to the cast, who successfully regained that energy and quickly brought the audience back with them as the show continued.

From a musical perspective, I did occasionally find it difficult to clearly hear some of the song lyrics. With the band positioned in close proximity to the right-hand side of the audience, the instrumental sound at times became overpowering, and vocals occasionally struggled to compete. This is something that may be worth reviewing for future productions to ensure the clarity of vocal delivery is consistently maintained.

 

Technical effects

Technical elements supported the production effectively throughout the evening. Lighting balances were generally very well judged, clearly illuminating action while helping to establish mood and location where required. Sound effects were also well integrated into the performance and worked seamlessly to enhance key moments without distracting from the onstage action. I must also add that the subtle ‘Allo ‘Allo “Easter Egg” certainly didn’t go unnoticed and was a delightful touch that added an extra moment of enjoyment for me.

 

Musical Director

Under your musical direction, the ensemble vocals were well prepared and blended effectively, contributing positively to the overall musical texture of the production. The company numbers demonstrated clear rehearsal work and confident ensemble sound that supported well.

At times, however, I feel that there were opportunities to further showcase some of the stronger vocal performers within the cast. A little more emphasis on drawing out these performances – whether through vocal shaping, dynamic contrast, or performance focus – could elevate key musical moments even further and allow standout vocals to shine more prominently.

In terms of pacing, there may also be occasions where being prepared to trim or tighten certain musical numbers would help maintain the overall energy. For example, numbers such as “Only You” felt slightly extended, and in pantomime, where pace and momentum are important, keeping musical moments concise can help sustain audience engagement and overall show energy.

 

Choreographer

Choreography throughout the production struck a very effective balance, with movement that was simple, clear and well suited to the style of pantomime. Rather than overcomplicating routines, you allowed the performers’ comedy and character work to remain the primary focus, ensuring that choreography supported the storytelling rather than competing with it. This approach worked particularly well, enabling the cast to perform with confidence while maintaining the pace and humour that the genre demands.

 

Belle 

You captured the essence of Belle beautifully, demonstrating a clear understanding of the character from the outset. From the moments of being belittled by your older sisters through the developing and more complex relationship with the Beast, you portrayed the role with composure and sincerity. Vocally, you delivered a really lovely tone that suited the character well, adding warmth and authenticity to your performance and complementing the role effectively – well done.

 

Beast

You commanded the stage every time you appeared, bringing a strong presence to the role that immediately captured the audience’s attention, and the mask design worked brilliantly in supporting the visual impact.

At times, I felt there was an opportunity to lean even further into the Beast’s more volatile moments. This is a wonderfully complex character, and fully embracing those flashes of anger and intensity can heighten the dramatic contrast, making later glimpses of vulnerability and softness even more powerful for the audience.

 

Gaston

You both looked and felt the part of Gaston, making an impactful entrance that immediately established the character’s presence. Throughout the production you maintained that wonderful sense of arrogance and self-importance, creating a consistent and believable portrayal that the audience could easily engage with.

You delivered the role with great confidence, and it is clear that audiences feel in safe hands whenever you take to the stage. There was also a clear sense that you relished the opportunity to play the villain – perhaps a little too much! Haha.

 

Madame Fi-Fi 

Where to begin – you were simply brilliant! From the very moment you appeared on stage you captured the audience’s attention and held it effortlessly throughout the entire performance, never allowing the energy or engagement to drop for a second.

Your comedy timing was flawless, with every line and reaction landing exactly where it needed to. The make-up was terrifically outrageous in all the right ways, perfectly complimenting a series of excellent costumes that added even more colour and personality to the character.

There were many standout moments in your performance, but two in particular had me crying with laughter: your interaction with the prompt, which was absolute genius, and the salon scene, which was hilarious from start to finish. Quite simply – that’s exactly how pantomime dame should be done.

 

Alphonsa 

You made an immediate impact from your very first appearance, with the multiple pairs of glasses perched on your head proving instantly hilarious, complimented by that wonderfully hard-to-miss wig which added a great visual comedy to that role, we instantly know the type of person you were. It was clear from the audience reaction that the character landed strongly, and I even heard someone liken you to Dawn French – a comparison that I could certainly understand given the warmth and comic presence you brought to the stage.

At times, I felt there were moments where you may have been holding back slightly. Characters such as this truly benefit from going fully “all out” and you already have the stage presence and visual characterisation to support that. Giving yourself permission to push even further could elevate the performance to an even bigger comedic level, as you clearly have all the ingredients needed to do so.

 

Jacques 

You clearly understand the style and rhythm of pantomime, delivering a strong, compelling, and delightfully cheeky performance that suited the production very well. Your confident stage presence ensured that the character was consistently engaging, and vocally you performed strongly, demonstrating a very good singing voice and holding your own comfortably within the musical numbers. A well-delivered and enjoyable performance – good job.

 

Flora 

This was an assured and confident performance. It can often be a challenge to maintain composure while the lively chaos of pantomime unfolds around you, but you handled this beautifully, bringing calm authority to the role. Vocally, you also demonstrated a lovely singing voice that suited the character very well.

One small suggestion: when those spontaneous pantomime moments arise – such as an unexpected prompt or interaction – don’t be afraid to run with them and turn them into something playful or humorous. In pantomime, you can absolutely get away with it, and embracing those opportunities can add even more charm and spontaneity to an already strong performance.

 

Belladonna 

You were simply brilliant as the chief villain. From your first appearance, you created a striking stage presence, fully committing to the character and establishing a clear sense of menace and authority. You engaged wonderfully with the traditional pantomime responses, playing up to the audience’s boos and hisses with great confidence and enjoyment, which added to the overall entertainment value. A terrific performance in a fantastic role – very well done.

 

Britney & Whitney 

I could hardly believe that ‘Britney’ has not appeared on stage since school and that ‘Whitney’ has not performed for over 20 years – as together you came across as a polished and confident comedy duo from the moment you stepped on stage. Your partnership worked wonderfully, with clear chemistry between you that made every shared moment lively, engaging, and a genuine joy for the audience to watch.

You both demonstrated a strong instinct for comedy and clearly understood how to deliver it, with timing, reactions, and character interplay that consistently landed well. The energy you created together added great fun to the production, and this was an excellent joint performance that showed you are truly a duo through and through.

 

Monique & Marcel

Together, you both captured the audience’s attention from your first moments on stage and never let it go, delivering a wonderfully confident and entertaining double act that worked superbly throughout.

Monique, your performance gave strong Gemma Collins vibes throughout, and you committed fully to the character without missing a beat. Your presence and appearance were spot on, and you carried a commanding stage confidence that felt both natural and impressively assured – a quality that is not always easy to achieve.

Marcel, you brought a comic presence, reminding me of a slightly more “hippy” version of Stanley Tucci in The Devil Wears Prada – hilarious and confident in equal measure, with character choices that consistently landed well with the audience.

As a pairing, you were an excellent duo, and in my view the salon was the scene of the night. The timing, character interplay, and comic delivery combined to create a superb sequence – outstanding work.

 

Celine, Madame La Fou, David

Collectively, you provided strong and effective support throughout the production, contributing well to the overall energy and flow of the show while ensuring each of your appearances added something distinctive to the performance.

David – What a wonderfully hilarious bottle of wine you were!

 

Director

Overall, this was an enjoyable and well-crafted pantomime that clearly demonstrated the care, thought, and organisation invested in bringing the production to the stage. The show contained many strong elements – confident characterisations, effective staging, and several standout performances – all of which contributed to an evening that the audience clearly embraced and thoroughly enjoyed. Moments such as the salon scene highlighted just how successfully comedy, performance, and pacing can come together when all elements align, creating some of the biggest laughs of the night.

As with any production, there are always opportunities for refinement. At times, tightening the pacing of certain scenes or musical numbers would help maintain momentum, especially in pantomime where sustained energy is essential to audience engagement. Continued attention to vocal balance between band and performers will also ensure that strong vocal performances are consistently heard with clarity. These are relatively small adjustments within what was otherwise a confident and entertaining production, and the audience response throughout the evening reflected the success of your work.

Congratulations to you and your entire team on delivering a lively and enjoyable show.

 

Stephen Fudge

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