Beauty And The Beast, The Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Not having a big star billing in a panto need not necessarily detract from the enjoyment and running of the show. Whilst Beauty and the Beast currently running at The Grand in Blackpool might not have some of the big names starring in other pantos across the north, what it lacks in star quality it makes up for with a panto that is funny, entertaining and bang up to the minute with recent chart hits and topical jokes.

What every panto does need, however, is a linchpin to hold the proceedings together, someone who audiences know and love whom they will return to see every year. In Blackpool’s case that vital element that makes their panto a roaring success is Steve Royle, who this year plays the bumbling dimwit Louis La Plonk.

Royle has been performing in the Blackpool Panto for more years than he probably cares to remember. Recently voted Best Comic at the 2025 UK Pantomime Awards, Royle knows through his years of Panto experience what the audience wants – and he gives them enough laughs to tide them over well into the New Year.

With this year's Panto being Beauty and the Beast, true to the original story, the setting is France, though rather than being in the Alsace region, the setting moves to Normandy and the village of Camembert – if you think this is cheesy, you might be on the right track; cue dodgy French accents, jokes about the missing French Crown Jewels and the Dame making an appearance with a red, white and blue dress – complete with a hat bearing a model of the Eiffel Tower – all of which happens in the first ten minutes of the opening.

Former Coronation Street actor Marc Baylis was excellent as the menacing baddie Hugo Pompidou, coming with an uncontrollable ego and a certain vulnerability. Of course there were a few jokes referring to his time on the soap opera.

Making her first panto appearance, Funny Girls legend Betty Legs Diamond (Simon Green) sparkled as the Dame – Polly La Ponk. Impressively, Jon Monie’s script gave plenty of opportunities for many comedy scenes featuring Royle and Diamond; the chemistry and timing between the two was spot on, making for a great double act. Of course, many of Diamond's lines were as risqué as a Saturday night out on Blackpool Prom, but it all added to the show.

Kitty Harris as Belle was compassionate and charming, with her vocals excelling on the recent chart phenomenon, the K-pop Demon Hunters, Golden.

Luke Harley as the Beast/Prince came with insecurity, love and protection contrasting with his monstrous physical appearance; he commanded the stage whenever he appeared. His moments on stage with Belle were touching and heartfelt.

David Alcock as Belle's father, Clement, brought a thespian element to the character, something that is not always apparent in a panto.

Ella Williams as the rhyming Fairy Bon Bon twinkled in her role, adding a touch of magic whenever she appeared.

The well-choreographed children's ensemble from the Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts Centre reminded me of the Bradford Alhambra Sunbeams and was an unexpected surprise to see in the Blackpool Panto. The six-strong adult ensemble never missed a step, with their can-can routine being a particular highlight.

Add to that the clever staging of Andy Batty, which transformed the stage from village square to castle kitchen and the castle balcony with ease, and Blackpool has a panto that is pure beauty and certainly no beast.

Runs until Sunday 4th January 2026