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REVIEW 
✭✭✭✭✭ 4/5 
Beauty and the Beast 
The Enchanting New Family Pantomime Chelmsford Civic Theatre 
Chelmsford 
Beauty and the Beast runs from Friday 26  November 2021 until Monday 3 January  2022 with a relaxed performance on  Thursday 30 December at 2pm 
The Beauty and the Beast pantomime at  Chelmsford's Civic Theatre this year is  clearly a big pull. No wonder really, it's the  biggest event in the theatres’ calendar since  the disruption caused by the pandemic in  2020. Despite the current uncertainty of  whether the Government will impose another  lockdown on us before Christmas, the  theatre was practically packed to the rafters with families eager not to miss out on their  Christmas panto fix. 

Unlike the Southend and London West End  pantos, Beauty and the Beast offers no big  names or tv personalities amongst its cast.  Does this matter? Not a jot. What it does  have is a super talented cast with a  collective ton of theatre experience. One  From The Heart Productions has put on a  fantastic production here that will have  children of all ages completely engaged  throughout. The production is a re-telling of  the traditional French story of brave Belle  and a selfish prince who has been  transformed into a beast as a punishment for  his unkind ways. There are plenty of  similarities to the Disney animation, not least  with Belle and the Beast's costumes; Belle's  famous yellow/gold ballgown drew audible  gasps and I overhead the little lad behind me  telling his mum that he really liked Beast's  coat. The costumes, of course, are all part of the spectacular visual  design of this production; add some larger  than life characters and an ensemble  providing some great support and dance  numbers and you have all the ingredients for  a successful pantomime. 

Jane Horn is glamorous Magic Mirror, Mizzo,  with Nerine Skinner taking on the 'silly Billy'  or should I say, Billi, role as Billi La Twerp  and my goodness does she work hard; the  kids love her. Likewise, Neil Bromley as  Panto Dame, Madame Lilli La Twerp,  providing some properly cheesy jokes to  boot. Mathew McDonald takes on the  'baddie' role of Lapiscine (my favourite  French play on words) and it isn't long  before he has everyone in the audience  quite rightly boo'ing at him. I loved the skit  where he kept getting squirted with the water  gun. Kids watch out, he's not the only one  who gets wet! Monsier Labonté could be a slightly thankless role but Andrew  Whitehead clearly has comedy bones and  manages to get some good giggles in with  the references to his age gags. 

Ella Tweed and Nay-Nay Gapomo are the  perfect Belle and Beast. Ella has the most  remarkable vocals and is definitely one to  watch out for in the future. Nay-Nay may  have played his part too well with some of  the really smaller children being reduced to  tears but these didn't last long. How could  they when there's so much fun to be had in  this 2hr 30min (inc interval) show. 

This is a panto fully of silliness, slapstick,  cheesy jokes, fart jokes, burp jokes and  some great songs threading through the plot  and MD, Tom Knowles, definitely has his  work cut out with not only following the score  but also every joke and one liner that's followed with a 'boom tish' from  percussionist, Charlie Ashby. My only niggle  here was that the band were a little too loud  over the vocals at times. 

This production of Beauty and the Beast is  the essence of a truly traditional pantomime  with lots of "Oh Yes It Is!" and "It's Behind  You!" moments. Just watching the childrens'  faces in the audience as they literally scream  at the characters to tell them there's  something behind them is simply pure  joy. Panto is often the first time children visit  a theatre and get to be able to lose  themselves in the wonder of make  believe. This production will certainly leave  them wanting to come back for more. 


Review: Kim Tobin 

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  • Home
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    • Main feature writer - Kim Tobin
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