*** (3 stars)
“Filled with magical Whimsey”
Edinburgh based BTC Productions (previously Balerno Theatre Company) celebrate their silver jubilee year with a brand-new pantomime production of the classic tale, Beauty and The Beast, written and directed by Lewis Baird, choreographed by Sophie Douglas and musical direction by James McCutcheon which takes to the stage of the Church Hill Theatre Edinburgh for a week long run.
This is a panto that is filled with magical Wimsey in spades however its also a show that’s far too long and plot heavy which is more an issue with the writing as the dedication to the plot reduces the ability to include real panto ingredients. Act one coming in at one hour twenty-five minutes is excessively long for panto and Baird must trust in his writing that even the smallest audience member knows of the plot of beauty and the beast thanks to the Disney classic movie and dial the plot back in order to deliver true panto magic. That said the resetting of the story to “Auld Reekie” and altering the leads to Belle McTavish, a stellar performance from Kirsten Keggie and Dame Brenda McTavish a totally show stealing performance from George Mackie is ingenious in bringing the show to the company’s hometown.
Performances are uniformly excellent with George Mackie’s “Dame Brenda” really being the scene stealing triumph as he delivers an Edinburgh Dame with a big heart, excellent comedy timing and sails close to be almost drag queen with ridiculously high heels but he always lets the fact there is man in the dress shine through. Kirsten Keggie is wonderful as “Belle” with honey-soaked vocals and when “that” ball gown is revealed with a nice touch of magic it brings the aahs a plenty from the audience. Mark Jones brings Prince Sebastian/ The Beast to life with a performance that’s rich in character, while Jones is admittedly gorgeous looking as the prince he really sinks his teeth into the role of the Beast giving it just enough edge to be scary but not terrify even the smallest child. Comedy comes by the bucketload thanks to Michael Davies inspired “Hector” and Roman Mitchell’s couthy “Senga” (Mitchell will alternate the role with Iona Irving). It’s a Tweedle dee, Tweedle dumb pairing that brings true joy to the show. Adding magical sparkle is Debbie Spurgeon as the “Enchantress” with a lovely voice and true aptitude to present a fairy godmother with charm and grace. Every panto needs a band and Jessica Russell delivers an evil laugh and enough villainy in the role of the “Baroness” and she is joined by her hench man “Squire Jimmy” played with a deft comedy touch by Malcolm McFadyen.
The principals all get there moment to shine especially in the quadrilogy of panto sketches featured in the show. The Ghost gag is given a “Traitors” make over to great effect and Mackie and Davies go full throttle in pre interval kitchen cooking sketch. Act 2 see a fabulously funny take on the great Dean Park’s “Wee Andy Webbers Scottish Medley” and trust us this panto features one of the very best “12 days of Christmas” routines you will see in panto land this year!
The principals are joined by an excellent 9 strong Ensemble adult cast alongside two alternating sets of panto babes who make the most of there on stage time and shine especially when delivering Sophie Douglas’s inspired and fresh choreography that’s blended well with the abilities of her performers. There are moments were a tad more dance could be used to lift the show yet still further. Musically its everything you want from a panto with musical director James McCutcheon and his excellent four-piece pit band adding that essential panto ingredient wonderfully well.
Production wise MM Sound & Lighting have delivered a flawless sound and light design that makes the most of the Church Hills often limited abilities. Accompanied by a striking video wall design from SLS Productions and scenic artistry of Sophie Dalton its really brings the magical panto world of “Auld Reekie” to life in style.
Baird, Douglas and McCutcheon have got the very best from there committed cast and the company have a passion for delivering the best panto possible it just needs tweaking by removing some of the plot, adding a dash more panto fun with an extra sketch or two whilst bringing down the run time then 4 stars and more are within the companies grasp.
For now, BTC Productions Beauty and the Beast have produce a show packed with heart, fabulous comedy and some impressive wow moments that insures this is more than just a tale as old as time!
BTC Productions present Beauty and the Beast, The Pantomime, Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh runs until Saturday 6th December for more information and tickets go to: Balerno Theatre Company
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