Writer and Director: Paul Hendy
It’s officially panto season in Sheffield and this year’s production is a new one for the Lyceum –Beauty and the Beast. It (somewhat loosely) tells the classic story of a kind-hearted girl who falls in love with a a selfish prince who was cursed and turned into a monster. Throw in all your favourite panto elements, some celebrity names and an ample amount of audience participation, this is a fun 2 and a half hours for all the family.
Paul Hendy’s script, whilst maybe not having as clear a plot of some of his previous shows, is very funny. It’s full of witty topical and local references. As a director, Hendy ensures that all the gags we expect are pulled off slickly and the audience are fully part of the show. There’s no complicated catchphrases to remember but there’s a safety and warmth in returning each year and knowing, in large part, what to expect. However this show is a slightly strange as in Sheffield’sBeauty and the Beast there is no baddie to boo. Danton (essentially Gaston, but he can’t be called that for copyright reasons) is very much a comedy character in this production, and there is no witch or Enchantress present, despite the evil Nightshade being referred to and appearing on screen in the prologue.
Sarah Langley’s choreography is energetic and the ensemble, made up of Ronnie Burden, Luke Cartledge, Hollie Duncan, Shona Mairi Masson, Lavinia Mai and Rhys Wyn-Owen, are a particular highlight this year. Each have their own characters as they play the enchanted objects in the Beast’s castle, and this year the ensemble sing live backing vocals in the big numbers which is an added treat as in previous year’s the backing vocals have been pre-recorded. The music throughout sounds good, even if several of the song choices might be on the more obscure end, but it is a shame that the band, this year led by Alex Turney, aren’t featured and involved as much as they have been in recent years. The band, this year, very much serve their purpose to provide the music but don’t feel like an extension of the cast as they have been doing more and more in recent years.
The set design by Morgan Large, with additional design by Stuart Relph and Michelle Marden, is colourful and works perfectly. This show doesn’t necessarily feature the spectacle that others have done, but it’s fantastic to be back to full practical scenery this year. The costumes designed by Ella Haines and Amy Chamberlain are also wonderful – the masks for the Beast and the wolves are particularly impressive. Michael J Batchelor’s costumes for the dame are outstanding – the best this reviewer has seen in a long time, and they all look completely fresh and new.
The cast, on the whole, are fantastic this year. Leading the cast are West End performers Bessy Ewa as Belle and Aidan Banyard as the Beast/Prince Henri. Ewa’s characterisation is wonderful, her Belle being a headstrong girl who knows her own mind. She leads her musical numbers well, but at times she could leave a little more space for audience responses. This is her first pantomime though and she will grow into this as she progresses into the run and future pantomimes. Banyard is perfectly cast as the Beast. His vocals, unsurprisingly as an alumnus ofLes MiserablesandPhantom of the Opera, are phenomenal, bringing the house down multiple times. He portrays the change the Beast goes through as he gets to know Belle well, whilst particularly shining in the moments when he gets to lean into the frightening and intimidating side of the character.
CBeebies star Jennie Dale is bubbly and charismatic as the Fairy, or Cupid as she’s called this year. Whilst she doesn’t have an evil counterpart to bounce off, she commands the stage and gets the audience involved from the first moment she appears. She also delivers some wonderful powerhouse vocals throughout the show, proving why she has an extensive musical theatre career in addition to her work on the TV. The star name this year is Duncan James as Danton. Whilst he looks the part, the panto comedy style doesn’t necessarily come to him as naturally as it does others in the cast. In this iteration of Beauty and the Beast, this role is very much a comedy role rather than the villain. Some of his musical numbers are fun, with a rewrite of I’m Just Ken being a crowd pleaser, but other songs didn’t quite feel as suited to his voice.
Completing the cast is Sheffield legend Damian Williams as Madame Bellie Fillop and Max Fulham, comedian and ventriloquist, as Phillipe Fillop. These two are certainly the highlights of the show. Williams is on top form as ever, getting every laugh possible. He works tremendously opposite Fulham who is perfect for pantomime. His comic timing is impeccable, almost coming on par with Williams – they share a similar style of humour which helps them to work well as a duo. Fulham wins the audience over immediately, although it does seem a shame that there are no audience shout outs and birthday announcements this year. There are also no children on stage during the song sheet – in fact, there are no children on stage anywhere – it is a shame that the young ensemble hasn’t been reinstated in Sheffield since Covid times.
On the whole,Beauty and the Beastis a great show, with some fabulous performers, colourful sets and costumes and energetic choreography. It is a great afternoon or evening out for Sheffield audiences this festive season.
Runs until 7th January 2024.