Beauty and the Beast @ Lichfield Garrick

“That was so funny I nearly wet myself!”

Such was my 11 year old daughter’s review of the Lichfield Garrick’s 2023 Christmas Panto - Beauty and the Beast. Truth be told, although I hopefully have more bladder control than that, I was in pretty close agreement with her. I’m not sure which part of the show was the most hilarious. It may have been the obligatory slapstick gunge and slide routine making pudding in the Beast’s castle kitchen. However, Figgy the animated (and socially borderline) Greek statue was in hot pursuit. Had I been the unsuspecting gentleman who sat on the front row I may have found the audience participation rather less comedic (he loved it really!!!). What I do know though is that by the end of the evening my sides hurt, I’d become seriously dehydrated and my daughter and I were ready for the festive Christmas season to begin!

You may wonder how Beauty and the Beast could pass for panto? However, Sam Rabone’s annual Pantomime dame, reappearing as Belle’s hideously bedecked mother, Madame Bellie Fillop, managed to cross the divide between the traditional story of sacrificial love for the hideous Beast and pant-splitting slapstick and corny gags. Together with her son, Philippe, the duo kept us entertained with their puns. Set against the Beast’s heart-wrenching self-pity and Belle’s selflessness I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry - so I did both! With Natalie Pilkington as Cupid the fairy playing off against Sarah Annakin as the evil enchantress we were led through the well known story of love conquering hatred, inner beauty defeating outward appearance together with the added bonus of laughter overcoming despair and lack of hope. Added to that, the costumes were fabulous, the scenery ingenious and the music stunning.

My daughter and I love the Garrick’s Christmas pantomime and the memories that each year’s show create for years to come. I think this year is one that will take a lot of beating though!

Tickets for the Lichfield Garrick’s Beauty and the Beast can be purchased now and the show runs until 7 January 2024. There is a BSL performance on 7 January 2024 at 11am. Tickets are available on the theatre’s website - https://www.lichfieldgarrick.com/whats-on/all-shows/beauty-and-the-beast-2023-pantomime/3094.

Thanks to the Lichfield Garrick for having us as guests and for getting is into the festive mood!

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