Beauty And The Beast - Victoria Theatre, Halifax

If you want to see a pantomime this year that is funny, spectacular, and colourful, then the Victoria Theatre in Halifax is the place to go over the next few weeks.

Whilst this particular panto may not have some of the big star names of others in the region, what it lacks in star quality is compensated for with a cast who are energetic, enthusiastic and entertaining.

The Halifax Panto has been a launching pad for many a successful pantomime career: Neil Hurst, currently appearing in the Nottingham Panto, and Josh Benson, now making audiences laugh in the Darlington one, both gained their first step on the pantomime ladder at the Victoria Theatre.

This year’s production of Beauty and the Beast is more traditional than the current norm of special effects and star names – and all the better for it. The plot may get lost, but with an engaging cast and the thrill of getting drawn into the characters, you might forget that we are all meant to be in France rather than Halifax.

The references to France and the typical stereotypes are kept to the minimum, apart from the occasional “ooh la la”, with more references to Hebden Bridge and Manor Heath Park as opposed to Honfleur and Marseille.

Every successful panto needs a good double act; Halifax aptly succeeds with Andrew Pollard as Dame Madeline Marzipan and Matthew Allen as French Frank, with comic timing, ad-libs and chemistry they shared, all of which appear so natural. Pollard must have swapped his numerous Dame outfits at least ten times, while Allen had some of the newest and funniest jokes you'll have heard this side of November. With Pollard being tall and Allen small, their contrasting statures made for an even funnier duo.

Sam Wilson as the Beast, Beth Woodcock as Belle and Cathy Breeze as Professor Potage, the latter reminding me of Su Pollard, were all a delight to see.

Nikki Schofield as Yorkshire Fairy Flutterby came with, as her title suggests, a Yorkshire accent. One of the most interesting characters was narcissistic and vain Neil Moors in his role as the loveable yet evil baddie Benedict Bourbon. He even got a further chance to impress with his version of the Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars hit, Uptown Funk. For many, he might have been too likeable and not villainous enough.

The 12 Days of Christmas routine appears in every panto I’ve seen this year; the comical reactions from the audience explain why producers are eager to include it. When you add a mop and bucket scene, the only element missing is the typical ghost scene.

Reference to the 6-7 meme that youngsters seem to enjoy yet seems unfathomable to their parents gets a mention, as do Jet2 holidays, which naturally led into the Jess Glynne track, Hold My Hand.

The production is also supported by a set of dancers—young and older—whose energetic and militarily timed dance routines shone when the members of the cast sang tracks from Wicked, Minecraft, and K-Pop Demon Hunters.

This is a family-friendly show that is sure to please everyone. Even if you are not a panto fan, chances are you will be after this highly enjoyable show that whisks you away – at least for two hours – from the real world.

It would not be Christmas without a visit to the pantomime, and the Halifax production most certainly sparkles.


Runs until 4th January

https://www.victoriatheatre.co.uk/whats-on/pantomime