Culture Editor Simran Thumber reviews the Grand Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast, finding it to be the perfect treat for all the family this Christmas season!
This year, the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is celebrating its 130th anniversary of pantomime by showcasing the magnificent production of Beauty and the Beast. The audience follows the story of Belle (Olivia Mitchell), a girl who longs for love and adventure outside the fairytales she reads. When Belle discovers the enchanted castle and stumbles upon the beast (Thomas Lowe) that lives there – can she see him for the redeemed prince he is on the inside or will she cast him off as a hideous monster? All this and more is to be revealed at this wonderful production.
The pantomime at the Grand Theatre is always a delight and gives you that festive feeling you long for during December! There is so much to admire about the production from the eye-catching set and costume designs to the energetic ensemble and impressive musical numbers – there is something for everybody to enjoy.
The pantomime at the Grand Theatre is always a delight and gives you that festive feeling you long for during December!
There was much anticipation for the two pantomime favourites – Tam Ryan, who played the role of Joey, and Ian Adams who was the ostentatious Madame Fifi Fou-Fou. Together they nailed the hilarious dynamic of mother and son. When they are on stage together, the audience knows that they are going to be in safe hands, and already have such grinning smiles anticipating what silly thing they are going to do next. There is so much to admire about these two pantomime legends however the greatest attribute they both have is the way that they deeply connect and interact with the audience and for me I found these to be the funniest moments. I would hate to give too much away but what can be promised is lots of hilarious interactions – with water guns that’s all I will say!
Avid pantomime goers were awaiting the signature song performed by Adams, ‘I Don’t Care’, to which the audience must respond “You Don’t Care!”. Its small moments such as these that give the panto a nostalgic flare and for those who are going to the panto for the first time, especially the children, it creates such fun memories that will make them desperately await next year.
Jarneia Richard-Noel, who is famously known for originating the role of Catherine of Aragon in SIX the musical, plays the role of the fairy in this pantomime and wonderfully showcases her extraordinary vocal range. A particular stand-out moment is when Richard-Noel sings the hit pop single ‘Roar’, in her beautiful sparking white and silver fairy costume, it was a delightful performance to watch.
There was another member of the cast with powerhouse vocals and that was the legendary Thomas Lowe, who played the role of the beast. The musical number, ‘Something about the Way You Look Tonight’, he performed in the ballroom alongside Mitchell was truly moving and showed the terrific range of his voice.
There is so much to admire about the production from the eye-catching set and costume designs to […] the impressive musical numbers – there is something for everybody to enjoy
Though it may have been difficult to sympathise with the beast in the beginning, the audience soon realised how deeply he feels for Belle and roots for them having their happily ever after. However, one person is stopping them from getting their happy ending and that is Gladius. He is played by Pro League bodybuilder Jamie though he is better known as ‘The Giant’ from BBC One’s Gladiators. Gladius is an evil sorcerer who believes the beast should suffer and will do anything he can to prevent him from being with his true love Belle. This was Giant’s pantomime debut and he played the role with the right amount of villainy and humour especially when the audience was booing him off stage.
There was somebody else who did not want Belle to fall in love with the beast and that was Monsieur Le Pratt also known as ‘Bilston’, played by the dynamic Timothy Lucas. When he came onto the stage, there was no doubt that you would not end up laughing with the goofy comedy he was guaranteed to deliver.
And finally, the star of the show, or perhaps, the Belle of the Ball, Olivia Mitchell is truly a delight to watch on the stage. With her amazing vocals, she delivered the role of Belle with such grace and it was exciting to see the freshness of a new star on the stage.
This panto is a must-watch for all the family!
Beauty and the Beast runs until January 5th 2025. Get your tickets while you still can!
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