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
✭✭✭✭✭ 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
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