Beauty and the Beast Rock 'n' Roll Pantomime Review

A review of Leeds' City Variety performance of Beauty and the Beast Rock 'n' Roll Pantomime

Think about a cross between traditional child's story, a pantomime, rock and roll songs, and an amazing musical cast! That was the show we went to see! 

On Monday night after the first day of our course, we went to a Pantomime in the Leeds City Variety Hall in the center of Leeds. This pantomime was basically telling the story of Beauty and the Beast but combined with Rock and Roll songs! 

One of my favorite actors (although I liked all of them) was the Dame. Dame Bessie Bigbreaths was played by Simon Nock, Simon has been involved in various other performances that the company has put on, and for the past 4 years has played the Dame! Some of his other acting jobs can include Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and also played Henry III in a special Terrible Tudors program, and was also in Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them 

Every couple of scenes, the cast would sing/play the music for various popular songs that would relate to that certain scene for example, when the Beast met Beauty, the Beast sung ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ by Guns ‘N’ Roses. I really enjoyed this performance, because all the music was played live on stage by the 10 different cast members, and there was a variety of music that a lot of adults knew, and some music that the younger audiences knew. The Leeds City Variety Hall have put on other Rock ‘n’ Roll performances of other well-known books and pantomimes including Cinderella and Aladdin. The theatre that we saw the performance in used to be a variety hall, so the stage is sloped towards the audiences. Many stages that were built in the Middle-Ages and early Modern Ages slope towards the audience.

This improves the view and sound for the audience but would probably make any props with wheels a bit of a problem!  

Overall, I personally loved the production, and would most definitely want to go see it again. I would recommend it to all age groups, because there are jokes and songs for everyone! If you are ever in Leeds, and fancy a trip to make you smile, definitely look to see if they are in town! 

Author

Bella Hubbard

Bella Hubbard

I've completed both my Bronze and Silver Arts award, and am now part way through completing my Gold Award

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6 Comments

  • Emrys Green

    On 19 May 2022, 18:23 Emrys Green Voice Team commented:

    This sounds like a really great concept Bella!

    How did you find the atmosphere of the venue? And was there anything about the show you'd like to see improved?

  • Rebecca Holmes

    On 20 May 2022, 10:04 Rebecca Holmes commented:

    What a great performance this seems to have been. I hate pantomimes usually but I think that all the great music that seems to have been in this one would really make them worth going to see. Did the small venue make you feel more part of the production? Normally the seats in theatres are so far back you feel quite separate.

    A great review, well done

  • Richard Caunt

    On 22 May 2022, 21:27 Richard Caunt commented:

    Wow! Sounds like an amazing production.
    I know the theatre in Leeds. It's an amazing space and the company are awesome.
    Are you going to see more from them?
    Great review.
    Keep it up..

  • Gemma Sosnowsky

    On 25 May 2022, 12:04 Gemma Sosnowsky commented:

    This sounds fantastic, what a great concept! I will definitely look out for these performances in future!

  • Bella Hubbard

    On 25 May 2022, 17:38 Bella Hubbard commented:

    'On 19 May 2022, 18:23 Emrys Green VOICE TEAM commented:

    This sounds like a really great concept Bella!

    How did you find the atmosphere of the venue? And was there anything about the show you'd like to see improved?'

    Hi Emrys, I loved the atmosphere, it was amazing and very personal in a way. One thing I would like to see improved though could be maybe getting the audience to join in with some of the songs during the performance

  • Judy McFall

    On 30 May 2022, 12:34 Judy McFall commented:

    This sounds fantastic, a great review too - love a bit of panto but the mix with rock n' roll sounds great!

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