Tag Archives: Breanna Bradshaw

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

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New Theatre Royal

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

New Theatre Royal

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

โ€œthis show will leave you smiling, laughing and thoroughly entertainedโ€

The New Theatre Royal Portsmouthโ€™s Beauty and the Beast is an enchanting pantomime that captures the magic of this cherished Christmas tradition. Created in association with Jordan Productions and directed by Hannah Boyce, it expertly blends humour, heartfelt moments and dazzling stagecraft, offering an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Chris Jordanโ€™s witty script offers a refreshing twist on the classic tale. Instead of rushing to the cursed Beast, the story takes time to explore the vain, arrogant Prince, setting the stage for a more meaningful transformation. Bored with admiring his own reflection, the Prince ventures to a nearby village to find a bride as beautiful as himself. Confident his charm will suffice, heโ€™s stunned when Beauty shows no interest. Meanwhile, two others vie for his attention: the fabulous Dame Dotty, his housekeeper, who dreams of marrying him until she falls for a man in the front row (cue endless winks and double entendres) and the wicked enchantress Malevolent, who curses him into his beastly form when spurned.

Malevolent, with her wicked schemes, drives the conflict at the heart of the story. Sheโ€™s perfectly counterbalanced by Fairy Formidable, whose comically heavy French accent and rhyming couplet battles keep the plot on track amidst the pantoโ€™s many diversions. Supporting the story are Dame Dottyโ€™s hapless son, Potty Pierre and Beautyโ€™s father, Jean Jacques, whose blunder at the Beastโ€™s castle sets Beauty on her fateful journey.

The cast shines throughout. Breanna Bradshaw, in her stage debut, exudes charm and warmth as Beauty, anchoring the emotional heart of the story. Lewes Roberts skilfully portrays the Beastโ€™s journey, transforming from a preening Prince to a shambling creature and finally a dashing hero. Chris Aukettโ€™s Dame Dotty is a comedic powerhouse, with impeccable timing and audience interaction. Becky Vereโ€™s Fairy Formidable and Rachel Stanleyโ€™s Malevolent create a captivating dynamic, with Malevolentโ€™s campy villainy countered by Fairy Formidableโ€™s bubbly optimism. Brendan Hooper as Jean Jacques and Christian James as Potty Pierre round out the cast with slapstick charm and warm-hearted humour.

Dotty and Potty frequently steal the show with their comedic timing and cleverly crafted routines. Highlights include a plate-smashing sketch, a tongue-twisting number set to I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General and the ever-popular ghost routine, which had the audience gleefully shouting โ€œItโ€™s behind you!โ€ and singing along to Ghostbusters.

The French setting inspires playful musical nods: Dotty makes her grand entrance with I Love Paris, the Prince belts out a reworked Lady Marmalade and Dotty serenades her front-row amour with La Vie en Rose. Jean Jacquesโ€™s heartfelt rendition of Charles Aznavourโ€™s She is hilariously upstaged by Dotty and Pottyโ€™s antics, while Malevolent mocks Franceโ€™s military history before launching into Waterloo. This leads to a show-stopping ABBA medley, with Dotty and Potty donning flared lycra half-and-half costumes to represent both Agnetha and Anni-Frid.

Shelley Claridgeโ€™s costumes are a visual feast, especially Dame Dottyโ€™s outlandish ensembles, including a superhero costume, a breakfast table and a festive Christmas pudding. Beautyโ€™s gorgeous yellow-gold ballgown, reminiscent of Belleโ€™s iconic dress from the Disney film, is another highlight. The finale, with the cast in dazzling white and blue sparkles reminiscent of the Pompey FC strip, adds a local flourish to the magical conclusion.

Visually, the production is stunning. Andy Newellโ€™s vibrant backdrops and David Coullโ€™s sparkling lighting design transport the audience to an enchanted kingdom, while inventive stagecraft โ€“ including fireworks and wirework โ€“ enhances the spectacle. The ballroom dance between Beauty and the Beast, floating gracefully above the stage, is a breathtaking end of act one highlight that perfectly encapsulates the showโ€™s romance.

Adam Haighโ€™s choreography and Patrick Stockbridgeโ€™s musical direction are equally impressive. High-energy dance numbers and catchy songs keep the audience engaged, while the clever mix of classic tunes and cheeky panto parodies ensures something for everyone.

The New Theatre Royal Portsmouthโ€™s Beauty and the Beast is a shining example of pantomime at its best. With no celebrity names, the production relies on the immense talent of its cast, who give their all with skill and enthusiasm. Whether youโ€™re a lifelong panto fan or a first-time visitor, this show will leave you smiling, laughing and thoroughly entertained.



BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

New Theatre Royal

Reviewed on 15th December 2024

by Ellen Cheshire

Photography by Martin at Origin8 Design

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

More reviews by Ellen:

REDLANDS | โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… | CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE | September 2024
BARISTA THE MUSICAL | โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… | CAPITOL THEATRE | September 2024
THE BELT | โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… | THE CORONET THEATRE | September 2024
THE WEYARD SISTERS | โ˜…โ˜… | RIVERSIDE STUDIOS | August 2024

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

 

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