Luke Adamson knows quite a bit about the world of Pantomime, starting his career aged 9. The festive he is in Loughborough performing as one of the ugly sisters in Cinderella.

His adaptation of Beauty and the Beast at Bridge House Theatre in Penge has been left in the safe hands of the director Matthew Parker (his debut Pantomime direction) and the incredible cast of four are back in London.

Cameron Griffiths has made their Pantomime debut and is in the role of the charismatic Dame Fifi Frimousse who has a lot of patience tolerating the vain and overbearing Prince Philipe Phacochere (Theo Bracey) who is obsessed with his looks especially his hair as he is constantly flicking it.

Lady Amere (Cassandra Hodges) casts a shadow over the stage in the role of the traditional Pantomime “baddie” and by the response of the younger audience members in the audience she gave a convincingly frightening performance with plenty of “boos” sent in her direction. Especially when she casts a spell on the Prince.

Belle (Georgina May Haley) is caught stealing roses by the Prince and is held against her will. Although Belle and Dame Fifi Frimousse are getting on really well and Belle doesn’t appear distressed by the ordeal.

There are plenty of Pantomime favourites included in the performance and some “he is behind you” well it wouldn’t be Panto without it.

Bridge House Theatre might have a small stage area but that doesn’t stop the Pantomime fun and scene changes taking place by using the screen at the back of the stage to change the backdrops. It’s also nice to let children have an up-close Pantomime experience and feel included in the performance. There’s nothing worse than sitting miles away from a stage and barely seeing what is happening and feeling excluded.

The standing ovation at the end of the performance spoke volumes about what the audience thought of the Pantomime.

For more information about Beauty and the Beast and future productions at Bridge House Theatre please use the link below.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Lidia Crisafulli.

https://thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk/

Cast

Belle-Georgina May Haley

Prince Philipe Phacochere-Theo Bracey

Dame Fifi Frimousse-Cameron Griffiths

Lady Amere-Cassandra Hodges

Drag Queens-That Girl and Bla Bla Gabor.

Directed and Choreographer Matthew Parker.