The first pantomime of the festive season has started with Beauty and the Beast at Durham Gala. I must admit that as the lights went down and the band began, the excitement across the auditorium was felt from all ages.
Although Beauty and the Beast is a classic tale and will be very familiar by many, in terms of a panto it is always very different. In this version Gary Kitching has set it in Chester le Rue, with the Beast living in the mysterious abandoned Château de Pitié pour Moi, known by locals as Pity Me Castle. He has created a strong storyline, with the sparkle of panto, rather than a very loose storyline placed around panto style scenes. It works perfectly engaging people of all ages.
Belle, Beth Crame, is a feisty yet delightful character, where she, of course ends up in the castle, where she gets to know The Beast, Suryan Hadrick, showing a range of emotions. Also in the castle is Monsieur Brillant, Adam Donaldson and Madame Horloge, Sarah Bulmer, they have an excellent rapport and often command these scenes. Jude Nelson playing Jongleur is full of energy and quickly engages with the audience. She has been one of the highlights over the last few years and I hope she will be here for many years to come. The only part which didn’t work for me, was Jongleur’s juggling, running through the performance it just didn’t add anything and ended slightly flat, though this may change during the run. Jongleurs’s side kick was the mad-cap Madame Perplexe, Zoe Lambert, this felt as if it was replaced for the Dame style character, for me though I didn’t miss the Dame, Zoe was perfect for the role complementing Jangleur perfectly. My favourite character had to be Gourmand, Kieron Michael, as the villain, he provided plenty of opportunity for the audience to react with, full of comedy, the perfect lovable villain. The ensemble completed the cast, as the hard working dancers, with some very quick changes
The set, lighting and sound are perfect for the production, faultless throughout. Excellent, bright and colourful costumes and delightful choreography.
Beauty and the Beast is engaging to all ages, with an amazing cast full of humour and fun, great story with a local twist and plenty of opportunities for the audience to interact with.
Beauty and the Beast runs until Tuesday 31st December at Gala Durham Theatre.
