Beauty and the Beast
Kick starting my festive season was a visit to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to see their 2024/25 offering Beauty and the Beast. Once again written by and starring Tam Ryan and Ian Adams, this show is nothing but 5-star family fun!
We all know the story of the book-worm Belle and the pompous Prince put under a curse and transformed into a Beast until he finds true love, well this production was true to that classic tale, but with of course some added extras which left the audience in stitches. As mentioned previously, Tam Ryan and Ian Adams write the show and bring their talent to the stage playing Joey (the brother of Belle) and Madame Fifi Fou-Fou (Belle's mother). This pairing is pure magic, bouncing off each other and providing some genuinely funny slap-stick moments, including a very wet and slippy routine finishing off by giving the audience a soaking (and there is no escape for anyone this year!).
Taking charge of some incredible vocal performances this year are four wonderful musical theatre performers who elevate this show to another level. Original SIX! queen Jarnéia Richard-Noel plays Angelica, the good fairy, there to make sure we have our fairytale ending. Belle is played by Olivia Mitchell (Waitress, Jersey Boys), and is every inch the strong-willed Disney Princess we're all familiar with. The Beast is played by Tom Lowe (Unfortunate : The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch) who provided some of the most incredible vocals with a magnificent rendition of 'Bat Out of Hell'.
However, the complete stand out performer of the whole show for me was Timothy Lucas (Blood Brothers) who plays Monsieur Le Pratt, otherwise known as 'Bilston'......think Gaston but make it Black Country (Disney copyright and all that!) Timothy is a complete natural who oozes star quality every time he appears on stage with vocals to match during the opening of Act 2 with his rendition of 'Eye of the Tiger'. I very much hope that he becomes a regular face in future Wolverhampton Panto's!
Making his Pantomime debut is Giant from the hit ITV series Gladiators, otherwise known as Jamie Christian-Johal. Giant in name and stature, he plays the evil Gladius with the right level of villianesque characterisation, however I'm not sure the audience wanted to boo him that often as his on-screen persona is quiet different! He made a great impact and I'm sure he'll be on many Panto posters in years to come.
The show had the usual mix of upbeat pop tunes, mixed in with some musical theatre classics such as Pure Imagination from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Come Alive from The Greatest Showman and a Pantomime version of Me Ol' Bamboo from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reworded as 'Sweep and Clean'. Each and every musical number was performed excellently with some great routines choreographed by Natalie Bennyworth showing off the talents of the ensemble cast who worked tirelessly throughout.
During the show there are some very impressive magical moments courtesy of Magic & Ilusion Director Richard Cadell. They were genuinely jaw dropping and performed which such professionalism, adding another layer to the already fantastic show. Set and Costume Designer Mark Walters has also added an air of grandeur to the proceedings with some incredible visual moments, aided by the digital set supplied by Imagine Theatre.
Having seen many a Pantomime at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre over the years, the quality just seems to get better and better which is testament to writers Tam Ryan and Ian Adams and the whole creative team who guarantee you'll have a wonderful experience with joke after joke after joke. Wonderful family fun for the people of Wolverhampton and the surrounding areas!
This show was reviewed on the 7th December 2024 at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre where it runs until the 5th January 2025. Tickets available here: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST | Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Review written by Emma Rowley
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