The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 7th January 2024
Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth
5*****
Decked with the festive feeling, the Sheffield Lyceum is vibrant, full of energy, and ready to pounce on St Nick! What a fantastic atmosphere you walk in to. Christmas songs playing, people singing and the stage looking beautiful with its glistening curtain with ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in shimmering pinks and purples.
Beauty and the Beast is so well known to the majority and a Christmas panto regular. But this adaptation is surely by far one of best around. With gags galore and belly laughs aplenty, get ready for two and a half hours of sheer entertainment and joy. Written, directed and produced by Paul Hendy, with absolute genius in parts.
The cast are pure gold for this years shenanigans. With the best comedic timing and delivery, ad-hoc improvisation from the super quick Damian Williams, playing Madame Bellie Fillop, he really does make these pantomimes what they are, superb! Duncan James plays Danton, the larger than life, self-obsessed lead very convincingly. Belle played by Bessy Ewa is consistently professional and charming through the show, with her sweet-sounding voice and beautiful smile. There is a surprise in store for Cbeebies Swashbuckle fans, with Jennie Dale playing Cupid; what a voice she has! By far the best on the stage. And a big final round of applause to Max Fulham playing Phillipe Fillop. Honestly there isn’t many ways to describe how talented he is. Fulham can pretty much do anything. He is a great comedian intertwined with his skill of ventriloquy. Alongside his puppet, they improvise without hesitation, and will have you belly-laughing with some of the audience participation they provide.
The set designer Morgan Large has produced a set which surely must be one of the best ever seen at a Lyceum pantomime. With the most stunning arches of light, from the front of the stage to the back. They are eye catching and enhance the entire production all the way through the show with mesmerising colour changes. Beautiful costumes all the way through, with such great detail, including a fabulous headband worn by Cupid which is a headband of mirrors, the light reflects off into the auditorium creating streams of light, fantastic work from costume designers Ella Haines, Amy Chamberlain and Michael J Batchelor.
This has to be one of the best pantomimes ever at the Lyceum, family fun galore, you won’t be disappointed!