By Michelle Rawlins
Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre has a long history of entertaining their loyal audience with their comical capers. And this year’s brilliantly bonkers performance of Beauty and the Beast didn’t disappoint.
All the old favourites were back including – for his 16th stint in the city – the much-loved Dame, aka Madame Bellie Fillop, Damian Williams. He burst onto stage as Barbie not Lardie in a skin-tight pink swimsuit, the first of many colourful and eye-popping costumes. He was accompanied by comedic ventriloquist, Max Fulham as Phillipe Fillop with his lovable sidekick Gordon the Monkey, enthralling the audience as he single-handedly juggled balls, while standing on one leg and reciting what felt like the world’s longest tongue twister.
The big name for this year is Duncan James from boy band, Blue, dashing as the lovesick Danto. With his swashbuckling swagger and blindingly white teeth, he tries every trick in the book to win the heart of the lovely Belle.
The traditional Fairy Godmother is recreated as Cupid, performed by the sparkling Jennie Dale from CBeebies Swashbuckle, equipped with her twinkling wand and rhyming couplets.
The riotous plot, if you could call it that, is very loosely based on the Disney classic, with the Beast (Aidan Banyard) locked in an enchanted castle with an array of talking furniture, desperately hoping the beautiful, good-hearted, Belle will fall in love with him before the final rose petal falls.
As you would expect from veteran director, and former TV presenter, Paul Hendry, this slick festive frolic of a show is brimming with slapstick silliness, countless comedy capers, clap along songs, and endless quips, including a plethora of Sheffield puns, and well-timed, light-hearted jabs at neighbouring Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley. The traditional list of wheelbarrow rapid-fire jokes and the Bright Side of Life bench added to the non-stop laughter.
Of course, a panto isn’t a panto without audience participation, and it came in barrel loads ensuring shouts of ‘It’s behind you’ are ever present. One poor soul in the audience, in this case Steve, was continually targeted after being picked out from the ‘Ken Cam’ as Madame Bellie Fillop’s love interest. At one point he was even hauled to the front of the stage wearing a Barbie and Ken style pink jacket and wig and forced to play a Bazooka, while ventriloquist, Max Fulham, put words into his mouth. All to the sheer delight of those watching.
Another stand-out scene involves a giant ice cream machine, leaving the audience in raptures, after poor Phillipe Fillop becomes the recipient of a relentless torrent of toppings – think industrial strength pumps squirting our strawberry and chocolate sauce, sending him slipping and sliding across the stage.
Blue’s Duncan James, who has become a regular on the West End in recent years, alongside Bessy Ewa, as Belle, hit the high notes, alongside Jennie Dale, belting out one number after another, showcasing their talent.
Pantos have become an expected and much-anticipated part of the seasonal theatre line up, appealing to all ages, from pre-schoolers to grandparents, and judging by the endless laughter and frequent generous applause bestowed upon the well-versed cast, this fast-paced Yorkshire Christmas cracker certainly won’t disappoint.
Showing until January 7 2024
Tickets here
Photos by Sam Taylor