Review: Beauty and the Beast, Gala Theatre Durham
Sam Wonfor takes in an evening in Chester-le-Rue where a tale as old as time has been run successfully through the pantomime translator
The team who delighted pantomime audiences at the Gala Theatre with Cinderella last year have reunited for another festive telling of a classic fairytale.
For 2024, writer Gary Kitching and director Rachel Glover are serving up the timeless story of Beauty and the Beast - featuring big bonus character sprinkles scatty inventor Madame Perplexe (Zoe Lambert) and a wandering and super-friendly bard, Jongleur (the always delightful, Jude Nelson).
We find ourselves in a French village featuring strong flavours of the North East.
All the action takes place in the vicinity of Chester-le-Rue, Dur-jambon and the cursed Chateau de Pitie pour Moi (aka Pity Me Castle) as the bold, book-loving and bookselling Belle (played with suitable sparkiness by Beth Crame) dreams of adventures beyond her home turf.
Meanwhile dans le Chateau, a narcissistic prince-turned-grumpy-Beast knows time (aka falling rose petals) is running out for him to find the meaning of true love and release the spell which has him and his faithful staff (Monsieur Brilliant, the street lamp and ticking clock, Madame Horloge) trapped in outward casings which are, shall we say, less than ideal.
When events conspire to see Belle’s aunty, the aforementioned Madame Perplexe - played with aplomb by Lambert who is clearly relishing the comedy opportunities alongside every crazy wig and giant glasses change - imprisoned in the Beast’s dungeon, it is agreed that the youngster will take her place and stay in the Chateau.
It doesn’t take long (probably about five seconds) for Adam Donaldson’s Monsieur Brilliant and Sarah Bulmer’s Madame Horloge (both terrific) to begin cultivating the love story which will release them all.
All the while, comedy villain Gourmand, played for very well deserved laughs by Kieron Michael, is enthusiastically pursuing a ridiculous ambition to secure Belle’s hand in marriage… when he’s not boasting about how he loves to eat furry forest animals.
This pantomime incarnation of the tale as old as time is fresh, full of fun and flies by.
A live band and supporting ensemble are all excellent, making sure the big numbers go with a sparkly swing meanwhile all the best panto ingredients - corny jokes, clever wordplay, slapstick set pieces, goodies, baddies and big laughs - are all there in abundance.
Beauty and the Beast is at Durham Gala Theatre until December 31. Visit the website for tickets.