Beauty and the Beast is a magical treat of a panto at The Tivoli. Image - Attic Theatre
Just as the curtain goes up on Beauty and the Beast at The Tivoli, an announcement invites the audience to get ready to boo, hiss and shout – it should add laugh, sing and cheer into the mix.
Because there is plenty of all of the above during this rollicking panto from Attic Theatre, with the cream of local community talent putting on a treat of a show that wastes no time in hitting the ground running and rarely letting up.
Even the opening number is a breathless affair, an all-singing, all-dancing mash up the Village People’s greatest hits performed by the huge ensemble cast, filling the Tivoli stage. It has the audience clapping along even before the action gets going.
Bonnie and the Beast - beautifully played by Anna Seaman and Ross Robertson. Image - Attic Theatre
Now, don’t be expecting the Disney version of this tale as old as time – there’s a wee gag about not affording the rights. Nope, this is very much Attic’s own Doric take on the story, penned by veteran panto director Scott Jamieson.
And he has even taken the bold move of adding a bit of an unexpected twist to proceedings. Don’t worry, there is a Happy Ever After ending. Just not the one you might be expecting.
As always with Attic, the humour is local and the jokes come thick and fast, albeit some that might raise an eyebrow for the grown-ups as they whizz over the heads of the little ones in the audience. “Is he looking at me funny” indeed. If you know you know.
On dame duties is Steven Reid as “Muggie” Moss in a parade of excellent costumes to go with his excellent comic timing, especially when riffing with daft laddie Joe King, nicely essayed by Andrew Reid.
Knockabout laughs - and a bit of Eurovision - in Beauty and the Beast. Image - Attic Theatre
Anna Seaman is a charming heroine as Bonnie, the feisty, independent quine who has no intentioned of being married off to anyone, Prince, Beast or otherwise.
Said Prince/Beast being played by Ross Robertson in some excellent make-up that really does make him look beastly, evoking memories of the Disney take on the cursed royal. Great acting chops and a superb voice, he’s a bit of a standout.
So, too, is Samantha Gray as the villain of the piece, Medea. She has her wicked cackle and “oh no you don’ts” down to perfection, earning every boo and hiss. And with that barnstorming singing voice, she’d make a great panto baddie on any stage in the land.
Stealing the Attic panto, as always, is Michelle Bruce returning to the role of the loveable, if at times dippy, Fairy G. She lights up the stage every time she steps on it, with a warmth and rapport with the audience that is a joy to behold.
The baddest of baddies - Samantha Gray as Media in Beauty and the Beast. Image - Attic Theatre
Beauty and the Beast is nicely staged too, with some memorable scenes, especially a rather magical transformation scene. The banquet moment where the Beast and Bonnie start to warm to each other is a delight, played out to a rousing version of The Rose. And it’s here there’s the first clue that the story might not play out how you think – and it’s a delight when that hint becomes a rather touching climax of true love conquering all.
With a melange of musical hits from Bond themes to Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and even a Eurovision mash-up – an absolute hoot – Beauty And The Beast is a singalong, clapalong, toe-tapping treat.
There are many pantos to choose from this festive season, but Attic's really is a beautiful beast of a show.
Beauty and the Beast by Attic Theatre is on at The Tivoli theatre until Friday 22 December. For information and tickets visit here.
Review by Scott Begbie, Aberdeen Inspired