Beauty and the Beast: A Tale As Old As Time at the Blackpool Grand!
14 December 2018
by Visit Blackpool
The pantomime of Beauty and the Beast has launched at the Blackpool Grand Theatre, and we had so much fun soaking up the Christmas magic!
Pantomimes are usually based on traditional fairy tales that have been immortalised over centuries, and Beauty and the Beast is no different.
A little trivia: the original author of this magical tale was Madame Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. She was born in Paris in 1695, and ‘La Belle et la Bête’ was first published in 1740. The French author was inspired by the real-life romance of Petrus Gonsalvus and his bride-to-be Catherine.
Petrus, who lived among the royal family of France, suffered from hypertrichosis, which made thick, dark hair grow all over his body and face. Catherine didn't know about this until meeting on their wedding day, but it didn't bother her. They fell deeply in love, and their relationship inspired citizens all over France.
Danny Walters plays the melancholic and tortured Beast, and we were so impressed with his representation. He commanded such empathy from the audience and his singing was so, so good. Also, props to him for the final reveal, which must have been really tough to endure.
To our mind, Grand Theatre pantos are incomplete without the incomparable Steve Royle. Opening night can be a tough sell, but he’s so good at what he does that he has the audience at ease and howling with laughter in no time. We’re so pleased that he’ll be back in 2019 for Peter Pan!
We were so excited to hear that Ben Harlow was performing as the ‘Gaston’ character, Hugo Pompidou, because his part in Legally Blonde as ‘UPS Guy’ had us crying with laughter earlier this year at the Grand. He was so campy and over-the-top that the audience could barely bear to boo him!
Make sure you purchase the programme for the show. It’s full of activities to keep restless little ones happy before the show and during the interval.
Don’t be put off going as a couple, or a group of adult friends, either. The humour is pitched at adults and children equally, with some absolutely hilarious, close-to- the-bone quips.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the panto, and thank you very much to Blackpool Grand Theatre for having us!
On at the Blackpool Grand Theatre until 6th January 2018, this isn’t a show to be missed! To get your tickets, click here!