REVIEW: Beauty & The Beast - St Helen's Theatre Royal

 

Credit: David Munn Photography

Easter has arrived which means only one thing: Easter panto time. Regal Entertainments' latest offering at St Helens' Theatre Royal is the enchanting Beauty and the Beast. The production company run by mother and daughter duo Jane Joseph and Chantelle Nolan  returns to the stage this Spring at the favourite St Helen's venue. Offering fun for all the family with its outstanding staging, fairytale costumes and production, the panto runs until Sunday April 16th.

This is a spectacle from start to finish with an upbeat musical score, energetic performances and the customary pantomime jokes which hopefully only the adults will understand. Written by Liam Mellor and produced by Chantelle Nolan, the production was performed at Press Night on Friday 7th April. Theatre Manager and show director Chantelle says: "An intelligent and beautiful heroine, a flawed hero, and an arrogant suitor, all wrapped up in a tale that values the power of love and kindness - who could ask for more this Easter?"

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

The opening number was footloose performed by Auguste Voulton as Gaston. The high energy and dynamic choreography set the tone for the show. Nazene Langfield's choreography is always on point.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Familiar face Lewis Devine plays French Frank and is exuberant as always in his performance. He is the cohesive force in the panto and engages the audience; adult and child alike to interact with the show. He performs verbal gymnastics with Richard Aucott (Potty Polly) as they deliver a hilarious tongue-twister which explains how sure they are that the short-sleeved shirt is not a long-sleeved shirt despite their being a short-sleeved shirt shortage. The dialogue is risque and the margin for error slim, with the potential to utter an expletive highly likely. Thankfully, there were no Freudian slips and the PG rating of the show stayed in tact.

Photo Credit - David Munn Photography    

Auguste Voulton is Garston and he makes his debut in this production. The French-English actor plays the vain egotistical lothario.

The set design is fantastic and adds an extra layer of fantasy to the show which is well received especially by the children in the audience. Pyrotechnics and excellent lighting enhance the show, adding the panto wow factor.

Abigail Middleton plays the villainous character of Madam Botox. She sings a cracking version of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" which leads in to a Britney "Toxic" Mash-up. Maria Lovelady plays Fairy Rose. I'm so used to seeing her in Twopence to cross the Mersey, so it was a change to see her in this light-hearted role. Benjamin Keith plays the Beast and his scenes with Belle (Lauren McCrory are wonderful). Lauren is a graduate of the Performers College and has played the role of Belle previously at The Epstein Theatre. She played the role well.

Lewis Devine is a master at engaging with the audience and for getting that all important audience participation. There is a scene where he is a frog and he managed to summon an unwilling volunteer by the name of Patrick who was a genuine good sport, despite the humiliation that he faced. This scene was physical theatre at it's finest and was so funny.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

This was a funny and engaging show, suitable for all the family. The show runs until April 16th and tickets are available for purchase here Why not make your Easter a cracking one by taking the family along to this production.