Beauty & The Beast Panto

Beauty and the Beast, this magical pantomime based on the children’s classic, is delighting audiences this week in the Commemoration Hall in Wadhurst.

Director Russ Kirton chose his cast well, a cast of pairs I would say. He moved them around the stage with ease and with so many that is good direction, and along with Choreography and Music by Clarice Wale and Holly Sturman, made this ‘Beauty and the Beast’ very affective indeed.

Beauty and Prince (Clarice Wale and Xan Kite) the love interest, Clarice’s voice really shone in her musical moments and Xan had a good stage presence. Jacques and Capucine (Duke Kirton and Sophie Jones) This young couple were demanding our attention and they got it, their smiles and confidence were compelling and word perfect. Antony Hart as Beast was powerful on stage. Felix the cat: what a performance from Amanda Dann, she made us think she was French, with her accent and she held it all the way through. Perfect. Ma the Dame Tony Bailey had good projection and took control and was a real manly Dame, great. Of course these were backed up by the ensemble of players, Malabelle (Izzy Mortimer), Clock (Alesha Higgins), Aimee (Amy Osbourne), Remy (Lucie Payne), Royal Pages (Diane Wale and Jayne Baldwin), Table (Kacey South), Lamp (Merlin Beedell), Chest of Drawers (Poppy Vigurs), Rug (Erika Baten), and Villager (Katie Driver).

A huge batch of Junior dancers all moving around the stage, not in the right direction sometimes, but who cares they are our future in the theatre, and I could see they were loving the experience. Costumes were colourful, lighting, scenery and props were all good, this was all brought together by Stage Manager Lisa Hart.

I enjoyed my afternoon with you and thank you for making me so welcome.

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