Review: Beauty and The Beast at Cast, Doncaster

Yorkshire seems to be awash with pantomimes focusing on the story of Beauty and the Beast this year, something which can be squarely laid at the door of the success of the current Disney blockbuster. The thinking is that the publicity for, and popularity of, the cinema version will rub off on the stage versions.

SEASONAL GOODWILL: Beauty and the Beast is at Cast in Doncaster until December 31.

And it’s odd that the Beast only makes the most fleeting of appearances in Act I. Luckily Sam Haywood picks up his challenges in the second act, and snaps and growls away with as much menace as his lines allow him, putting a layer of juicy meat on some pretty bare bones. Another bright little light is Esther-Grace Button as Bonbon, putting energy and determination into the proceedings that is far above the call of duty.

Sets and costumes, are adequate enough (the Beast’s mane and menacing curled horns are magnificent) and there is a lovely arts and crafts-inspired walk-down finale. While the production isn’t quite enough to have the adults on the edge of their sleep, it takes an awful lot of seasonal goodwill to forgive the writers, who seem to have been intent from the start on ripping the rug from beneath the feet of the cast toiling at the cutting edge.

To December 31.