REVIEW: Beauty And The Beast St. Helens Theatre Royal
It's Easter panto time and how fitting that the story of the moment is bought to the stage in the form of Beauty and the beast. Written by Liam Mellor and directed by Chantelle Nolan, the panto is a wonderful treat for the whole family.
Beautiful Belle is played by Channel 5 Milkshake’s Amy Thompson. Big Brother housemate Nikki Grahame plays the delightful Fairy Rose. Richard Hazlewood plays the Beast and Philip McGuinness is the hilarious, self-obsessed Gaston. Liam Mellor plays French Frank and St Helens' resident Dame Simon Foster plays the fantastic Potty Polly. The panto baddie is played wonderfully by the fabulous Hannah Potts who has so much gravitas on stage, it is incredible.
The tale is filled with comedy, twists, re-mixed modern chart music and a story of romance and triumph over evil. Adults and children alike will enjoy the show. There is the customary panto innuendo for the adults but nothing too risque which I thought was great. It was tastefully done minus the cheap gags often included just for the sake of it.
The set design was outstanding as were the costumes which were full of colour and sparkle. There was a beautiful, decadent, fairy-tale like feel to the production and the talented cast take the audience on an exciting adventure as they follow Belle as she falls in love with the most unexpected of princes. This enchanting tale is a true feel-good and uplifting show.
The choreography was high quality throughout and there was an exceptional scene with a pack of wolves which was particularly stunning. The Glitter, Sparkle and Fairy-dust dance groups were excellent and worthy of special commendation.
In the opening scene the audience enter the village of Petit Pois and watch Belle perform a remix of Little Mix's "shout-out to my ex" which is an ode to Gaston the resident creep who is earnestly seeking her affection. We soon meet the man himself who is an egotistical, self-absorbed pompous specimen. Philip McGuinness plays the role magnificently. He was undoubtedly one of my favorite cast members. He had a great connection with Hannah Potts who played his mother Madame Botox.
Liam Mellor played a fantastic French Frank and the energy between him and Dame Simon Foster who played his girlfriend Potty Polly was electric. Amy Thompson was a great Belle. Her vocals were strong and her duets with Richard Hazlewood were executed beautifully. He played a charismatic Prince Benedict and a beast who enamoured the audience. I loved Nikki Grahame as Fairy Rose, she incorporated some of her famous "Nikki-isms" and was a delight to watch.
Expect fun, frivolity, audience participation and a great time with your family and friends if you go and see this panto. It is up-market and produced with skill and attention to detail.
I had the pleasure of catching up with Nikki Grahame before the show and interviewed her. She explained her delight at playing Fairy Rose in the panto. She was just as lovely in person as I had envisaged.
Beauty And The Beast runs from 1st April - 23rd April. Tickets are available here
Beautiful Belle is played by Channel 5 Milkshake’s Amy Thompson. Big Brother housemate Nikki Grahame plays the delightful Fairy Rose. Richard Hazlewood plays the Beast and Philip McGuinness is the hilarious, self-obsessed Gaston. Liam Mellor plays French Frank and St Helens' resident Dame Simon Foster plays the fantastic Potty Polly. The panto baddie is played wonderfully by the fabulous Hannah Potts who has so much gravitas on stage, it is incredible.
The tale is filled with comedy, twists, re-mixed modern chart music and a story of romance and triumph over evil. Adults and children alike will enjoy the show. There is the customary panto innuendo for the adults but nothing too risque which I thought was great. It was tastefully done minus the cheap gags often included just for the sake of it.
The set design was outstanding as were the costumes which were full of colour and sparkle. There was a beautiful, decadent, fairy-tale like feel to the production and the talented cast take the audience on an exciting adventure as they follow Belle as she falls in love with the most unexpected of princes. This enchanting tale is a true feel-good and uplifting show.
The choreography was high quality throughout and there was an exceptional scene with a pack of wolves which was particularly stunning. The Glitter, Sparkle and Fairy-dust dance groups were excellent and worthy of special commendation.
In the opening scene the audience enter the village of Petit Pois and watch Belle perform a remix of Little Mix's "shout-out to my ex" which is an ode to Gaston the resident creep who is earnestly seeking her affection. We soon meet the man himself who is an egotistical, self-absorbed pompous specimen. Philip McGuinness plays the role magnificently. He was undoubtedly one of my favorite cast members. He had a great connection with Hannah Potts who played his mother Madame Botox.
Liam Mellor played a fantastic French Frank and the energy between him and Dame Simon Foster who played his girlfriend Potty Polly was electric. Amy Thompson was a great Belle. Her vocals were strong and her duets with Richard Hazlewood were executed beautifully. He played a charismatic Prince Benedict and a beast who enamoured the audience. I loved Nikki Grahame as Fairy Rose, she incorporated some of her famous "Nikki-isms" and was a delight to watch.
Expect fun, frivolity, audience participation and a great time with your family and friends if you go and see this panto. It is up-market and produced with skill and attention to detail.
I had the pleasure of catching up with Nikki Grahame before the show and interviewed her. She explained her delight at playing Fairy Rose in the panto. She was just as lovely in person as I had envisaged.
Beauty And The Beast runs from 1st April - 23rd April. Tickets are available here
Me and the wonderful Nikki Grahame after our interview
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| Nikki Grahame in the beautiful Fairy Rose costume that was made especially for her. |
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| Nikki Grahame as Fairy Rose |
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| Talented Liam Mellor (French Frank) & Simon Foster (Potty Polly) during their interview with Made In Liverpool |
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| The talented cast of Beauty & The Beast |
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| Amy Thompson (Belle -Beauty) and Richard Hazlewood (The Beast) |
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