Show: Beauty And The Beast
Location: Epstein Theatre, Liverpool
Date: Monday December 20 2021
Time: 19.00
Running Time: 150 Minutes
Age Rating: 8+
This is our review for Beauty And The Beast at Liverpool‘s Epstein Theatre. Now, this is the first theatre pantomime at the Epstein Theatre since March 2020. So, let’s take a look at Beauty And The Beast!
Beauty And The Beast
Background
The Epstein Theatre in Liverpool reopens this December with the ever-popular pantomime Beauty And The Beast. Actor Ben Richards will appear to play the lead role of Gaston, with a full cast announcement imminent. Beauty And The Beast runs at the Epstein Theatre from Thursday December 16 2021 to Sunday January 9 2022. Tickets cost £15 and are available now. Note that there aren’t any performances on Christmas Day, Wednesday January 5 or Thursday January 6 2022.
This show will wow this Christmastime with true love and kindness. Audiences will enjoy an exciting adventure during the family-friendly pantomime. It’s a timeless tale of Belle, a beautiful young lady that falls in love with the most unexpected of princes. But the Prince has a curse to resemble a hideous beast. So, will the Beast learn to love and to receive love? And can the spell be broken in time for all to live happily ever after?
Analysis
This show would create much in the way of festive cheer at a time when we all need it. The cast would include Jamie Greer (Potty Polly), Lewis Devine (French Frank), Lauren McCrory (Belle) and Benjamin Keith as The Beast. Not forgetting Nazene Langfield as Fairy Rose, James Lacey as Madame Botox and Tom Fothergill as Gaston. There would be plenty of hilarious sketches, one of which would feature a ghost with the name of Buzzy Bee. Yes, she would sing a very unique version of the 12 Days Of Christmas. Look out too for the frog on the wall scene.
Covid would unfortunately impact the cast, with Nazene performing spectacularly as the Fairy at an hour’s notice due to Kelly Sweeney being unwell. The same would see Ben Richards have to pull out as Gaston. Fortunately, Tom would step up in fine fashion as a suitably arrogant, vain and conceited Gaston. In fact, credit must go to all of the cast for very strong performances. French Frank was really entertaining and amusing with a very witty script by Liam Mellor. Furthermore, there was lots of audience participation, with the children showing great excitement to join in. Plus, the dancers were excellent and took on multiple roles. On top of all that, there was a lot of energy in the show. Oh, and Madam Botox had a very powerful voice, and they were appropriately scary and evil!
Summary
This was a thoroughly enjoyable pantomime with songs and fun throughout in the beautiful, Covid-safe Epstein Theatre. All in all, the audience would love it, and the show would bring plenty of smiles ahead of Christmas.
Notes
Target Audience: 8+
Content: No Content Likely To Offend
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 9/10 – Outstanding
Beauty And The Beast Further Links
Beauty And The Beast runs at Epstein Theatre until Sunday January 9 2022. And you can buy tickets right now.
Did you see Beauty And The Beast? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
