Northern Stage, the largest producing theatre in the North East, has announced the cast for its magical reimaging of Beauty and the Beast, arriving on its Newcastle stage this Christmas.
In this adaptation, devised by Katie Mitchell and Lucy Kirkwood, a stolen rose sets everything in motion for Beauty and her unfortunate dad. Two mischievous fairies whisk us through rural France with a Thoughtsnatcher machine and a very helpful rabbit in tow. With live music from the Insect Orchestra, Northern Stage invites families to experience this tale as old as time in fresh, funny and unexpectedly touching ways. The production is set to be directed by Bryony Shanahan with costume and staging by local designer Verity Quinn.
Newcastle-based performer Bridget Marumo leads the cast as Beauty. Marumo is a familiar face on North East stages with her recent theatre work including Wintry Tales and We Are The Best! at Live Theatre and Here Be Dragons at Unfolding Theatre.
Marumo is joined by Davey Hopper, a South Shields actor who learned his craft at The Customs House, as Father. Hopper fronts North East rock band Two Metres Apart and has been seen as Pumbaa in The Lion King: Rhythm of the Pridelands at Disneyland Paris and Baloo in The Jungle Book with S4K International. Conor McReady takes on the role of the Beast. McReady is from Bishop Auckland and his screen credits include Rough Edges and Itchy Fingers.
Lucy Doig, who has strong North East links via Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Project A, plays Cecile. Her recent credits include the RSC’s 37 Plays at Northern Stage, The Final Exam at Alphabetti Theatre and Julius Caesar with Bard in the Botanics. Helena Antoniou will play Pink, having been seen on stage in Trial By Laughter at the Watermill and The Snow Queen at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and on screen in Call The Midwife and EastEnders.
Completing the cast is Maya Torres who returns to Northern Stage after appearing in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Raven. On screen she features in How To Be A Person and Blue Jean.
“Beauty and the Beast is a story so many of us know and love, and we can’t wait to share it with families this Christmas. What makes this year extra special is the sheer amount of North East talent on our stage, artists who live, work and train here, bringing heart, humour and that unmistakable regional spirit to our biggest show of the year. Alongside brilliant collaborators from the region and beyond, we’re conjuring real Christmas magic, mischief and music and a big-hearted tale about empathy, courage and seeing beyond appearances.” – Natalie Ibu, Artistic Director of Northern Stage
Beauty and the Beast runs at Northern Stage from 4th December 2025 until 3rd January 2026. Tickets can be booked online or over the phone.
