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On the banks of the Clyde, there’s magic afoot as this Beast of a Beacon pantomime comes alive!
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast distils the well-kent fairytale, shunning unnecessary plot detail in favour of big jokes and hilarious routines.
The Beacon has long-crafted its winning panto formula and knows not to stray from it. Bringing all the glitz and polish of big-ticket productions to the Beacon stage, audiences are in for a real treat this festive season.
The laughs come in bucketloads from dame Betty Blumenthal (Jimmy Chisholm), the Doc-donning lozenge-sucking mammy who has a warmth like no other, and a glint in the eye that means mischief.
Betty’s son, Boabby (Lee Samuel) is a firm favourite with the Greenock audience. This wee Boabby is as glakit as they come – and he’s got the hots for Belle (Shannon Swan), who embodies the princess for every little one out there.
The comedy doesn’t end here, as Mark Cox dons a greying beard as the doterry Angus McFungus – a hilarious addition to the plot, who is never afraid to call out this story’s ridiculous extremes.
Jane McCarry’s evil Deadly Nightshade brings the boo-s to this panto and seems to enjoy being the butt of the joke for this hilarious gaggle of characters.
As ever, the tiny ensemble of four brings a real polish to the Beacon’s panto. This year, they’re even clad in Loganair uniforms for one scene!
Now in its second year of in-house production, this pantomime will bring a smile to every face and leave you with a festive glow to last all season.
Greenock’s panto never fails to entertain – and this year’s offering is a real gem.
Beauty and the Beast at the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock until 31st December 2023
