For several years now the Devonshire Park Theatre has offered up the best pantomime in the region. They stick to a tried and tested formula, some familiar faces in the cast, great song and dance numbers and they always have a strong script – and this year is pretty much, but not entirely, the same.
The script is still strong and delivered, with a liberal smattering of “mistakes” and ad libs, really well by the extremely talented cast led by Hollyoaks actress Carley Stenson. As Malevolent, the “baddie” of the tale, she delivers her rhyming couplets with just the right amount of venom, to counteract the fact that she looks like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.
More rhyming couplets, but happier ones (delivered in a phoney French accent), come from Fairy Formidable, Ellie Leah, who keeps the, fairly thin, plot-line moving along so that there is time to fit everything in.
Adam McNab as both Prince Gallant and The Beast has a very busy time with costume changes during this show. He starts of in regency attire, with powdered face, beauty spot and a huge blond wig, then is cursed to become The Beast (and a very convincing Beast he is too) before the other scene at the end…. which would be rude of me to reveal.
Beauty, our heroine, is played by Emily Bull and her father, Jeans Jacques, by David Alder. Both have strong singing voices, and are likeable enough in their roles, but their characters could do with being a little stronger to avoid being overshadowed by the other members of the cast.
I mentioned earlier that there was a change this year and, I guess it was inevitable really but, after their success in previous years and their incredible connection with an audience that clearly loves them both so very much, the undoubted stars of Beauty and the Beast are Martin Knight and Tucker as Dame Dorothea Derriere and Potty Pierre. Although not officially a comedy double act, these two tremendously talented individuals work so well together that they might as well be.
From the moment that they arrive on stage, and each gives us their opening routine, it’s possible to feel the audience relax – like you do when you meet up with an old friend that you haven’t seen for a while and suddenly realise that, actually, they haven’t changed a bit.
They dominate the stage from start to finish whether they are smashing plates, performing a Mamma Mia medley or just doing their very best to create havoc and mayhem for the other cast members, they do it with style, with skill, and they continue to make the Eastbourne pantomime the benchmark for other pantomimes to aim at.
***** Five Stars
