It is only 5th December and already I have seen this year’s Grand Opera House panto twice, so I think it’s fair to say I’m a panto addict. But to be honest, the Grand Opera House panto really is THAT good. It is undoubtedly one of my favourite shows of the year and a fond annual tradition Valentina and I have had since she was one!
Classic tale, Beauty and the Beast, is this year’s story and it is extra special because queen of pantomime, May McFettridge (comedian John Linehan) is celebrating her 30th anniversary treading the boards at Belfast’s Grand Opera House. She has been joined on the Grand Opera House panto stage by many greats in her time – from Britt Ekland to Gareth Gates and many in between, but this year sees Ben Richards (Footballers’ Wives, Holby City, Hollyoaks) take the role of the Beast as well at Britain’s Got Talent favourite Mandy Muden as Magic Mandy.
The tale tells the story of the beautiful Belle who, dreaming of a happier life, finds herself transported to a cursed castle and held captive by a hideous Beast (Richards) who was transformed from a handsome but selfish prince after turning away an enchantress dressed as a beggar years previously. The selfish and now brutally ugly prince lives in fear that he will remain a beast forever, until the kind-hearted Belle enters his castle and in time makes him feel human again.
We all know how the tale turns out, but the question is, how the GOH team will tell the story of whether Belle sees beyond the monster and falls in love with her captor before the last petal falls from the enchantress’s rose? Or will the Beast’s selfishness cost him the world he once knew and the hand of the girl who has melted his heart?
Qdos Entertainment stages the show and, being the world’s largest pantomime producer, you can imagine the spectacular quality of the set – mesmerising for both little ones & adults alike with some stunning special effects and fantastic quality costumes. As a fashionista, I truly believe that on stage you have to go big or go home, and the costumes in Grand Opera House never disappoint. They don’t try to be cool and modern and go all muted with modern interpretations - quite the contrary! - because there is an abundance of colour and dazzle to match the fun songs and hilarious (sometimes hideously funny) script, with camped up dance routines that you just can’t help but bop along too. And that’s just how a Panto should be, in my opinion.
With a huge cast of 30, the show creates a fabulously interactive atmosphere with little ones delighted to shout and boo whilst the older ones enjoy a lively sing-a-long (and lots of naughty jokes that fly over the heads of the younger viewers, but provide endless laughs for the adults!)
My favourite cast member this year is the beastie of the story – but he’s not actually The Beast and he’s not a traditional vile-looking villain, in fact he is gorgeous (but beastly in his misogyny and vanity). It was Flash Harry, (the Gaston character in the Disney versions of the story), who is played excellently by Danny Bayne. He fits his role perfectly and I loved his own number – which was a version of Jim Croce’s 1973 hit Leroy Brown. Actually, speaking of cast ‘numbers’, I also loved May’s ‘Legend’ tribute which (I think) was a version of Flash, Bang Wallop from Half a Sixpence. Brilliant!
Like any good panto, the narrative of the tale is sprinkled with lots of funny moments in between. Or perhaps you could say the tale is told between lots of funny moments – some of which make you ask yourself, ‘was that meant to happen?’; but whichever way you look at it, there is exactly the right mix of light-hearted entertainment that families of all ages will enjoy.
I’m delighted to say that after 6 years visiting the panto, Valentina finally had a ‘penny drop’ moment this year and just ‘got’ May. I mean, she’d laughed at her before and knew May was a he, who looks ridiculously funny in her costumes (this year’s Mrs Incredible is THE BUSINESS!) but she really understands now that May is integral to the Panto, that she holds it all together and is responsible for all, or most, of the comedy in it. Her favourite bit was the Twelve days of Christmas, and she now understands that that’s a regular thing, which is so very funny because of its unexpectedness. Of course now she is hailing out ‘FIIIIIIVE TOILET ROOOOOOLLLLS!’ non-stop and is dying to meet May, but that day will come, I hope.
Will you love it? Oh yes you will!
Beauty and the Beast runs from Saturday 30 November 2019 to Sunday 12 January 2020. Limited tickets available. Next year’s show – Goldilocks and the Three Bears - is already on sale with over 30% of tickets sold already! For ticket information, visit goh.co.uk