Before the Swansea Grand pantomime even took to the stage we were promised something really special. With a star studded cast, this brand new production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was to feature spectacular LED screens and animation. That’s what we were promised but when we turned up to review the show last night, is that what we got?
In true panto style ‘Oh Yes We Did‘ – and some.
The show is always something glamorous at the Grand but they have elevated it to a whole different level this year, while still keeping all things we know and love, which make this annual tradition so well loved in the city.
As usual all the stops have been pulled out with the cast, who are all first-rate. Strictly glitter-ball winner and Casualty favourite JOE MCFADDEN and Swansea’s own West End leading lady HAYLEY GALLIVAN are joined by BGT’s MATT EDWARDS.
They say that in Panto Land nothing stays the same, it’s all about keeping it fresh and new, in Swansea however, they have a tradition which just has to be part of the show every year.
KEV JOHNS is as much a part of the panto as Oystermouth Castle is a Swansea tourist destination. In fact he’s been doing it almost as long as the castle has been there (sorry Kev). This is actually his 24th at the Grand and as Nanna Penny is everything you’d want in this truly local show.
As soon as Kev walks on stage you can’t help but smile, he’s loud and funny and has some pretty outrageously gorgeous costumes. We, and the audience love him, especially when he skilfully balances the adult humour so well, without ever offending anyone.
Oystermouth Castle is the main setting, and home to our Prince, in a show crammed full of ‘Swansea‘ references. We also drop in to the Uplands Tavern. We all love a local mention and Beauty has more than most.
Completing the main cast is the Beast played by another Swansea favourite STEFAN PEJIC. We saw him at the New Theatre last year when he let his best baddie fill the stage. This time he gives us a bit of both in his dual role. As the beast, his transformation is excellent, of course he also makes a mighty fine handsome Prince.
We’re sure you know Joe from the hospital dramas Casualty and Holby. He wowed us too in when he lifted the glitter-ball trophy on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. So when he took to the stage as ‘Barry Island‘ we wondered if we’d get a little twinkle-toe action from Mr McFadden. We most certainly did and he even sang the Hall and Oates song ‘You Make My Dreams…‘ as he glided across the floor. It was like we had our own Swansea version of Strictly Come Dancing.
Incidentally, who knew the good Doctor Di Lucca had such a great singing voice – great job Joe.
Hayley too as Belle (Beauty) has an incredible voice and it’s so nice to see her back on stage, at home, doing what she does best.
Beauty and the Beast has been around since the 1740s, but maybe it’s the Disney animated and live action movie versions you’ve seen. The Swansea interpretation has all the elements we’d expect but very much puts a local (and plot) twist on this age-old tale.
Fairy Mumblena played by SUZIE CURRAN and Enchantress Morgan Le Fay (ELLA BIDDLECOMBE) bring the real panto feel to the show, and of course we all need a god old witch to aim our very loud booing at.
At the end of the day, no matter how many star names you have in a show, how glittering and spectacular the sets are, you go to a pantomime to have a bit of a sing-song and a really good laugh. Once again Swansea delivers massively on both of those.
Matt Edwards is just a really funny bloke. When we spoke to him for our Meet the Cast Special (HERE), we couldn’t help but laugh during the interview, he’s really silly and funny, in all the best possible ways.
Matt is Cyril, Nanna Penny’s son, which means we get plenty of fun between the two of them but also some really nice moments with the Beast.
Matt is like a Duracell Bunny, he is relentless on stage and has everyone in fits of laughter. We do get a few usual Panto routines throughout the show, one of those being the 12 Days of Christmas. Matt is fantastically chaotic throughout and at one point we were in desperate need of a break from our non-stop laughing.
There is one more local performer in the mix, who comes in as Willy! A character like that is a gift to the writers. SIMON NEHAN is the said Willy, who is Belle’s dad. You might remember in the movie he was called the distinctly unfunny Maurice – Willy is far better. He has a much bigger role in this version of Beauty, and is fairly crucial to this telling of the story.
No regional pantomime is complete without appearances from local children, and this year is no exception. A big show like this, needs lots of support on stage, so the Junior Ensemble are split into three teams, who you will see at various times throughout the run.
TEAM BRIARS are….
Layla Cannon, Olivia El-Shanawany. Ava Conte, Leah Rees, Morgan Goldsworthy, Imogen Roberts, Danny Hayward and Izobelle Beynon.
TEAM ROSES are….
Poppy Davison, Lola Huxtable, Rose Kneath-Matos, Gwennie Maitland-Williams, Violet Kneath, Ellie Antonio-Fencott, Evie Latronico and linos Selby.
TEAM THORNS are….
Lily Bellamy, Sofia John, Poppy Parry, Connie Dickerson, Ruby Bellamy, Imogen Collom, Molly Hill and Madison Stokes.
There is everything to love about BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the set and costume design is fantastic (MARK WALTERS) and somehow makes the Grand seem so much bigger.
The music, under the direction of the man on keys JOHN QUIRK is great and we are given a mix of songs which only panto can do – including a sing-along Elvis medley, which had us all on our feet. Which also gives me a chance to mention EDDIE SLATTERY who put everyone through their paces to turn out some fab choreography.
The audience had their phones and cameras away for the whole performance but right at the end we were told we could grab some pictures. If you do that, stick them up on your socials and make sure you tag the theatre.
In true end of show style, Kev stepped forward and thanked us all for being a fantastic audience (which we were of course). He also mentioned the charity they are supporting this year, Everybody Deserves a Christmas.
Each year the charity provides more hampers to the community. As the cost of living crisis bites, the need will be even greater. Once again they’ll be providing food hampers worth £50 each filled with Christmas essentials and treats.
This year, with your help, they aim to create at least 500 food hampers full of staples like cheese, meat, and vegetables, and added goodies like pudding, chocolate and crackers. A large team of volunteers will purchase, pack and deliver the hampers in the days before Christmas.
If you’re at the pantomime, and have some spare change in your pocket, pop it into the collecting buckets at the end.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is at the Swansea Grand Theatre through to Sunday 15th January 2023, with a variety of performance times. For more details, and tickets, starting at £23, go HERE.
