Beauty & The Beast Pantomime

My it was busy and noisy in the coffee and bar area.  Heather Woodward, costumed as a villager with her bonnet, was seated at the ‘Crock of Gold’ table the proceeds of which were to be donated to a children’s cancer charity. Children were waiting excitedly. Dot Smytherson, also costumed plus pretty bonnet, was perched with her programmes at the hall entrance directing either to seats or the toilet and was to perform as well. Suitably seated, surrounded by little ones we were about to travel to France for the tale to unfold, when director Jackie Manktelow took to the stage announcing the proceedings in French! – a tres amusing touch.

The story line follows lovely daughter of Alphonse – Belle, meets unknown to her Prince Danton and is smitten. Two ghastly sisters Whitney and Britney who throughout the proceedings are spending a fortune on unsuccessful beauty treatments.  Two comics Monique and Marcel run the beauty salon. We have our buxom Dame in the form of Madame Fifi who we have the pleasure of shouting to on her entrances. She has a a lazy son Jacques, jauntily donning his beret and typical French stripes – sweater and socks! played by Russell Hall now Chair of the Society.  Gustave is our hunk about town played by Toby Champneys with a perfect swagger.  With a very French accent Peter Payne was Mr Le Fou  - he who comes to take you away. The Beast of course is really the Prince who has been cursed by the nasty Belladonna who of course is challenged by a delightful fairy Flora.

The setting is a delightful French village sur la sea where Alphonse tends his beautiful flowers that Belladonna delights in destroying. With a promise of a professorship, he departs for Paris and whilst loosing his way picks a red rose which results in his capture by the Beast and is taken to his castle behind a huge set of gates. Resourceful Belle ventures to bargain for his return. With the usual panto complications along the way all ends well.

The cast were regulars, and it was good to see new faces too. Some interesting moments of script and sound lapses, but it all added to the fun of the afternoon. Minor timing issues slowed the flow but were overcome and supported by the audience. Well done to Sheila Gault in her small corner on the book. The company worked hard in preparing some enjoyable catchy vocals and with Pippa’s movements well executed and Jackie’s direction with good use of the stage space and central aisle effective for the larger than usual cast numbers.

The set design was most attractive, particularly Jackie’s backdrop design of the castle and rose motifs. The rolling gates worked well and the comedy beauty salon with extraordinary enhancing machinery created by team effort. The small flats set either side of stage with Alphonse’s garden on one side and the scary forest the other, again well designed, colourful and well painted. Props were numerous, again with the company contributing. Most effective was a large see-through gold rimmed mirror,  and  portrait picture of Prince Danton as was Belle’s illuminated rose and creation of the Beast’s roses

The dining scene in particular was thoughtfully created with huge detail given to the table setting of food and drink items. SM Naomi and Helen did a fine job, and Ray Hodges was in his usual spot in the black box at the back in charge of the sound and lighting.

A good mix of emotions, innuendo, jolly music, the children’s singalong, conflict between Pippa as loud and nasty Belladonna against the delightful Flora elegantly played by Amelia Dahm. The Jeal sisters really enjoyed their ott, common Whitney and Britney parts, whilst Laura Gale and Charley Cover paired well for the romantic element. Toby Champney carried off his man about town with attitude, whilst Richard Pierce transitioning his Beast personality – was well dressed and made up, singing with emotion and dancing too. Amanda Dann and Ollie Pierce made a good pairing of the comedic beauticians – with some interesting iffy results with the lotions, potions and extraordinary apparatus!

Super work throughout for principals and ensemble, from the costume ladies Naomi Berwick and Jill Thorpe-Apps, enhanced by makeup created by Jackie and Emma Howard. Nick Jeal was once again in his element dressed in colourful, flamboyant outfits, good dame character makeup and numerous wigs and those flashing trainers looked fetching too.

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