On Saturday 17th December we were invited along to the 1pm showing of Beauty and the Beast at The Spotlight.

Due to covid we haven't actually been along to a panto here since 2019 so we were really looking forward to it.

We really like The Spotlight as a venue, owing to its free parking, friendly atmosphere and spacious auditorium. The bar area has recently had a refurb and so we had a little seat and a mulled wine (for the adults!) before the show started. We were sat in the terrace row N (which we would recommend as we had an excellent view!)

The show features an all-star cast include Michelle Heaton of Liberty X fame, Jay Rawlings as Philliphe Phillope and James Dinmore as Dame Cherri Trifle.

The show tells the familiar tale of beauty and the beast we all know and love but with a panto twist.

This all singing all dancing production will "put a spell on you" this festive time. 

With a range of popular songs including "come what may", lizzo's "good as hell" and "all i want for Christmas is you" you'll be bopping in your seat and singing along for sure. 

There's a fantastic talented and hilarious cast and a particularly funny rendition of 12 days of Christmas which had my little boys in hysterics, they are still singing the line "and a seat for the lavatory" over and over again and chuckling to themselves.

Michelle Heaton was brilliant as the witch and in response to her line "don't you just love me? " yes Michelle , yes we do. "

The actor playing Belle, Libby-Maya Archer, was enchanting and everything you would wish a princess to be, the beast played by Jack Osmond I have to say was the stand out performer in this production, his voice was captivating and his acting so believable. It must be very hard to be able to convey the level of anguish and despair he did when his face was largely covered by a mask for the majority of the production. Jay Rawlings is a total pro and we were super impressed with his juggling and his natural humour. Paul Giddings was adorable as Belles dad and some really humorous moments throughout the show. Jonathon Hands made the most perfect Gaston just brilliant, And Dame Cherri what can we say, what is panto with a dame?  Top job James Dinsmore.

I was also particularly impressed with the dance ensemble who were amazing, from the cancan to acrobatics they really did keep us all captivated and sometimes its easy to overlook the supporting cast, but they absolutely deserve credit because they were amazing, so George Harper, James Savident, Layla Kennedy and Sophie Lawson - Well done we thought you were brilliant!

I also thought the set design was really well done, the beast lair in particular deserves extra credit too and the costumes were just gorgeous. 

If you are after a traditional feel good Panto with plenty of laughs then this is the Panto for you.

Thank you so much for inviting us along.

Beauty and the Beast at The Spotlight is running until 31st December and is priced from £17.50 for a child and from £18.50 for an adult. More details and link to book here. 

Thank you for reading

Kayleigh & The Boys

XxxX

PR Visit