Christmas is well and truly underway now that the pantomime season has kicked off. It’s been a long two years without it! The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry is always one of the earlier panto runs to start and this year, we are treated to Beauty and the Beast - one of the slighter lesser performed titles in the genre.

Last year, the venue took their pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk online which, although not the same as the real thing, was a brilliant feat and ensured they could keep in touch with repeat local audiences as well as being able to show their production to viewers across the globe. But it’s so incredible to see them back up on stage where they belong.

With Iain Lauchlan once again at the helm, he writes, directs and stars in Beauty and the Beast. His long affiliation with the venue shows no sign of deterioration with the material equally as strong year on year. He includes every panto component you’d want to see as an audience member and although the cast weren’t able to get members of the audience up on stage this year for Covid reasons, audience interaction was certainly not in short supply - poor Ryan in the stalls would certainly agree!

Lauchlan is also joined by returning creatives: Jenny Phillips (choreographer/co-director) and Mark Walters (designer) for this production - a stellar team if ever there was one.

Walters’ set is as colourful and sparkly as expected from him, living up to his company name - Glitter Pantomimes. There are so many layers and textures to his sets, with the castle courtyard being a particular showcase of this when paired with Adam Warren’s responsive lighting.

Chris Murray’s sound design is well balanced, with David Haller’s musical direction particularly good surrounding the incidental music. Bar a slight blip in the opening number, the music (arranged and composed by Steve Etherington) is generally strong, if not a little unmemorable. It amazes me how S Club 7’s ‘Reach’ is still doing the panto rounds - a fresher take on this would have been desirable but nevertheless, it’s a crowdpleaser.

Lauchlan as Dame Dolly Mixture, alongside his regular sidekick Craig Hollingsworth as Silly Billy, are a formidable duo; bouncing off each other with ease and presenting a very comfortable pairing to watch. Lauchlan’s costumes are something else, with the ‘Lion bar’ outfit a real scene stealer. Ruby Eva lives up to her name of Beauty, being the perfect ingenue, and Sion Lloyd - although not having a great deal of stage time as the Beast - embodies the character brilliantly throughout and showcases superb vocals following his lament of Beauty leaving - although his power often means a slightly crackly delivery through the Beast mask.

Peter Watts gives a superb turn as Maurice, somehow juggling both masculine and camp at the same time! He has found a great deal to play with within the script and is incredibly entertaining, especially during the slosh routine. Miriam Grace Edwards as Welsh wonder Grub makes for an accomplished sidekick and holds her own during her scenes for the right reasons.

Other support comes from David Gilbrook as Beauty’s father Harold and Katy Anna Southgate as the Enchantress, the latter of whom was greatly underused based on her skills shown in the finale. The ensemble and dance chorus members also do a lovely job in their relevant numbers.

Aside from being a little on the long side, the Belgrade panto delivers once again and guarantees a fun-filled night out for the whole family.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jenny Ell

Beauty and the Beast plays at the Belgrade Theatre until 8 January 2022, with tickets available here.