We love a good panto and they are now part of our pre-Christmas tradition, however, we headed to Storyhouse in Chester to watch Beauty and the Beast between Christmas and New Year, and it might just be my new favourite Twixmas activity. It kept the festive feeling going perfectly and felt like a lovely way to stretch out the magic of Christmas a little longer. If you’re looking for a Twixmas or New Year family outing, Beauty and the Beast at Storyhouse is a brilliant choice, especially as it continues to run till January 4th.
The Storyhouse Chester
If you haven’t been to the Storyhouse in Chester before then that in itself is reason enough to visit, it’s much more than your traditional theatre it’s a vibrant, community hub that houses a gorgeous library, cinema rooms, theatre, bar and restaurant as well as open spaces that can be used for multiple activities and events. It has a lovely warm and welcoming feel no matter when you visit and right now it is decorated in all it’s glory for Christmas making it even more magical.
Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast is a well-known and much-loved classic, and this production truly does it justice. It captures the magic of the story we all know while delivering it in a fun, theatrical and musical way, without losing the heart and message at its core.
The show is captivating from the very start, with Fairy Lavender providing a wonderfully unorthodox twist on the traditional fairy role. She brings humour and joy to every scene and encourages plenty of audience participation, which my daughter absolutely loved. Set in Fromageville and packed with cheesy jokes, it’s a laugh-out-loud performance that warms the heart and keeps you engaged throughout, striking a perfect balance between child-friendly fun and just the right amount of adult humour, alongside all the classic panto traits.
Music plays a huge part in the show, with an eclectic mix that ranges from K-pop to Radiohead. No matter your musical taste, you’ll find yourself singing, clapping, toe-tapping or even dancing along. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the energy.
Katarina Zofia shines as Belle and is joined on stage by Daniel Bowskill as the Beast, Henri. Their chemistry is fantastic, and you genuinely believe their journey from nervous young woman and angry beast to soulmates unfolding right in front of your eyes. They are perfectly paired and a real highlight of the production.
We also loved the inclusion of the wicked fairy Nightshade played by Miriam O’Brien and the way the story delves into her backstory, exploring why she cast the spell on the Beast in the first place. It adds extra depth and interest to a tale many of us think we already know inside out.
The performances are supported by impressive staging and special effects, with flying fairies, smoke machines and dramatic theatrical lighting adding to the sense of spectacle. There’s clearly been a huge amount of care and effort put into making this production visually exciting as well as entertaining.
As a family we absolutely loved Beauty and the Beast and would give it a whopping 5 stars and highly recommend you grab some tickets and continue the festive fun as it runs until January 4th.
(Photo credit Charlie Flint Photography)
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