Glasgow Pavilion Theatre panto 2024: Beauty and the Beastie

Updated: Dec 9

Beauty and the Beastie | The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow Pantomime 2024

Written & Directed by Eric Potts and Liam Dolan | Additional Material from The Krankies and Ronnie Christie

Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow | 4 December 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Glasgow Pavilion panto this year transports the much-loved fairytale of Beauty and the Beast to the very Scottish location of Cludgie on the Cobbles. Belle (Jennifer Neil) finds herself trapped in a castle with a ferocious Beastie. Little does she know that the dashing Prince Lorenzo (Scott Fletcher) has been cursed to live as a beast forever unless he finds true love before the last rose petal falls...

So far so Disney.

But wait! This is a Glasgow pantomime, and alongside the well-known fable we find a tartan clad Dame Dolly Drumchapel (Craig Glover), her son Hector Drumchapel (Liam Dolan), cheeky comic duo Hammie & Tamie (Grado and Stephen Purdon), Belle's mum Professor Porridge (Nikki Auld), cunning enchantress Fairy Fiona (Valissa Scott) and with more than a nod to Gaston, the handsome, arrogant, Benedict Bridie (Jack Jester.) This is Beauty and the Beastie, and it's a superb mix of traditional story, panto antics and Scottish humour.

Liam Dolan in Glasgow Pavilion Theatre panto 2024: Beauty and the Beastie. Photo credit: Martin Shields

The Pavilion panto looks fantastic this year. It makes great use of bright colourful projections that transport us from the village market, to the beast's parlour complete with roaring fireplace, and on to a snowy wonderland. The video projections are excellent, and work really well to add variation and interest to and around the stage. The transitions between locations are smooth and some of the imagery is spectacular. The fire flickers, the snow falls - these dynamic backgrounds would not be achievable to such an extent with traditional sets.

With an absence of heavy set pieces, the stage can be filled with a large cast and company. The dancers in the Pavilion panto are a real highlight. Stephanie Fulton's choreography is fresh and complex. Both the adult and junior ensembles do a remarkable job with not only the impressive dance routines but as a number of enchanting supporting characters too (the wolves were a personal favourite). The ensemble are foot perfect, and that extends to the entire production: it's all very well directed and rehearsed - it feels like we are in safe hands, and that allows for the audience to relax and enjoy themselves just as much as the performers on stage.

Glasgow Pavilion Theatre panto 2024 cast: Beauty and the Beastie. Photo credit: Martin Shields

The cast of Scottish stage and TV favourites assembled for Beauty and the Beastie are magnificent. Jennifer Neil is exquisite as Belle with a voice fit for a fairytale princess. Jack Jester is a superb villain; larger than life and full of charisma. Stephen Purdon and Grado are hilarious - I particularly enjoyed the scene where they were dressed as trees! But their natural rapport with each other and with the audience is joyous throughout the entire show.

Scott Fletcher is a charming, grouchy prince. True, he is hidden behind the Beast's mask for much of the show, but there is no hiding his glorious singing voice. I did not know he could sing like that! Incredible.

Liam Dolan is a perennial Pavilion favourite and it's clear to see why. He throws himself into every scene and every comic routine, happy to be the butt of many a joke for the sake of laughs. The kids in the audience adored him and he is brilliant with them in return.

Often the success of a panto falls on the strength of it's dame, and here with Craig Glover as Dame Dolly Drumchapel, the Pavilion have a knockout. Perhaps better known as his drag alter ego (and Scotland's Best Drag Queen winner) Reba Martell, Glover is an exceptional panto first-lady and his costumes are some of the finest in pantoland.

Stephen Purdon, Jack Jester and Grado in Glasgow Pavilion Theatre panto 2024: Beauty and the Beastie. Photo credit: Martin Shields

The Pavilion panto is a whirlwind of energy from start to finish this year and it's great to see audience members of all ages so fully engrossed by the action on stage. The jokes are plentiful and they are skilfully embedded into the script. The traditional panto sketches and mayhem are present with "The 12 days of Christmas" skit. Though often repeated at this time of year, it's staged particularly well here with a believable mix of amusing props, chaos and silly pranks. The sloshy bucket routine ran too long for me personally (and is duplicated at Kilmarnock) but I'm sure is a hit with the younger members of the audience.

Complimenting the comedy are a wealth of lively song and dance numbers - all of which are great, but the highlight is a stunning, moving performance of Nathan Evan's 'Home.' Some of the song choices were strangely a little dated, but all were performed with gusto by the excellent live band and magnificent, enthusiastic cast.

Beauty and the Beastie at Glasgow Pavilion Theatre is a proper family panto suitable for, and sure to be enjoyed by, all ages. It's bright, bold and full of brilliant Scottish banter. With a sparkling cast and non-stop entertainment, this panto is great value and great fun. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beauty and the Beastie is at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre now until Sunday 12 January 2025. See full listing details here.

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