Photo credit: Will Green Photography.
It’s extraordinary to think that the New Wolsey Theatre’s Rock ‘n’ Roll panto is celebrating it’s 25th year this Christmas. When it started it contained lots of old school rock ‘n’ roll numbers and as the years have gone on the songs have changed and got more modern, something that even gets a gag of its own in the script when the baddie is singing Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club!
To my mind this is more an ‘ Alternative’ pantomime than strictly rock ‘n’ roll and you need to leave any pre-conceptions of the story you think you already know at the door.
This is a fresh approach to Beauty and the Beast so forget any thoughts of the Disney film. Belle ( Nis Raza Hamilton) is an ambitious young woman with a podcast and Pigeon (Eloise Richardson) as a best friend, ( no stale old panto horses or tap dancing cows here), and with no Gaston in this version our baddie, Snarlina ( Signe Larsson), is a lyrca clad temptress with fabulous hair and even better boots.
Photo credit: Will Green Photography.
Vicki Stone’s script is as sharp as ever and stuffed with topical references. She has particular fun with our Dame, landlady Mrs Ringer (Max Gallagher), who stays just on the right side of naughty with the gags and patter that has the audience in stitches.
Photo credit: Will Green Photography.
You can’t have Beauty without the Beast though and with one of the strongest voices in the cast Beast ( Neil Urquhart) goes on a journey from selfish and grumpy to charming and vulnerable.
We also have the castle staff, all turned to stone with the same curse that gave us the Beast, with Jacques Le Plop (Myles Miller), as the main man.
Leo Elso, Ceri-Ann Townsend and Christian Tyler-Wood make up the Ensemble in a variety of guises and as always all the actors also sing, dance and play all the instruments.
Jake Smith’s direction keeps everything moving along at a cracking pace and the weaving in of the songs is clever and funny.
I want to give a special mention to the set, which is a beautiful riot of colour and I loved the roses.
If you’re looking for something away from the panto norms that plays with tradition and is full of modern songs and culture then this is for you.
Beauty and the Beast – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto runs at the New Wolsey Theatre until 17th January.
Go to their website or call the Box office on 01473 295900 for tickets.
SUFFOLK THEATRE 