Beauty & The Beast: A Horny Love Story
Review by James
⭐⭐⭐⭐
For anyone seeking a festive pick-me-up, He’s Behind You! have returned with another acclaimed adults only panto.
After another tumultuous go around the sun, this years’ much needed escapade sees us transported to the Scottish Highlands village of Lickmanochers for a riotous take on a classic fairytale. Beauty and The Beast has always been a story bursting with panto potential but it’s safe to say that it’s never been so naughty. Nay, filthy.
Charing Cross Theatre has been joyously transformed with a riot of colour and creative staging producing a larger than life backdrop for a romp of unrelenting belly laughs. Panto lovers will leave very happy indeed, with singalongs, audience participation, and outrageous costumes aplenty. There’s even time for whipped cream to be slung at unsuspecting audience members. Particular praise goes to the creative team behind some fantastic outfits, including Dani Mirel’s delightful Sydney Opera House shoulder garnishes.
Tongue in cheek recreations of Village People’s In The Navy (‘On An Oil Rig’) and Disney classic Be Our Guest (‘Be Our Slave’) are standout moments, but it’s the quick witted dialogue and brutal ad-libs that keep the laughs coming. The smutty double entendres come thick and fast whilst the high camp ethos is masterfully delivered from start to finish.
The production is undoubtedly held together by the glorious and “easily spread” panto dame Flora (Matthew Baldwin), whose queer children and spiky tongue drive the riotous narrative. The filth builds unremittingly as son Bertie (the endearing Matt Kennedy) ends up in the Beasts’ castle (Keanu Adolphus Johnson), while Flora’s overlooked lesbian daughter Bessie (Laura Anna-Mead) finds her own happy ending with fairy Juno (Dani Mirels).
The theatre world thrives on high-end art and culture but the inclusivity of panto ensures that the medium remains as accessible as ever. You’d be hard pressed to have a more enjoyable festive treat than this. Perhaps the Mayor of London should leave the capitals Christmas Tree with He’s Behind You! as they are experts at raising wood.