"A gem for families that captures the charm of Christmas!"
Step into the enchanting world of CBeebies Panto's latest production, Beauty and the Beast. Recorded at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh and featuring many of CBeebies' familiar faces, the production reimagines the classic fairy tale with a uniquely Scottish twist, set in a magical, wintery glen of Scotland at Christmas. Filled with charm, fun, and festive cheer, this panto brings a delightful mix of humour, heart, and music, perfect for families to enjoy together.
A Christmas Twist
This retelling kicks off with a handsome Beau, whose good looks are stolen by the evil Thorn Fairy, setting the stage for a dramatic transformation. Meanwhile, Bella, a brave and determined girl, is on a quest to find the perfect Christmas gift for her Pops. She hears about a rare and beautiful Christmas rose growing across the glen, but getting to it won't be easy.
Accompanied by her best friend Red, Bella embarks on an adventure into the mysterious Beast’s garden to find the rose. However, Thorn Fairy has other plans, casting a spell that causes thorns to grow around Bella and Red, trapping them in Beast’s magical world. Along the way, viewers are left wondering whether Beast is really as bad as he seems. Will Bella and Red manage to make it home in time for the Christmas lights switch-on? The answer is filled with surprises and twists that will keep both kids and parents engaged until the very end.
Characters That Leap Off the Stage
What elevates this panto is its vibrant cast, breathing life into a diverse array of characters. Bella, the plucky girl on a mission to find the perfect Christmas rose for her Pops, is as brave as she is endearing. Her best friend, Red, embodies that classic sidekick role that kids cherish.
The Thorn Fairy is the epitome of a villain, using her quirky mischief to reclaim Beau's charm and sending the plot spiralling into chaos.
Then there's the Beast, who transforms back into the handsome Beau. His journey from a frightening figure to a kind-hearted hero carries a strong lesson for children about looking beyond appearances, illustrating the value of kindness.
In addition to the central characters, the show introduces a colourful array of supporting figures, such as funny garden gnomes and mischievous wolves with each bringing excitement and their own special brand of magic and trouble to the story.
Engaging Narration
The storyteller, Snow Raven, skilfully guides us through the fairytale with the help of Dodge T Dog. Their engaging narration ensures even the youngest audience members stay captivated.
Catchy Tunes
Banks & Wag provided the CBeebies panto' with upbeat and catchy musical numbers that are perfectly suited for a festive production.
Final Thoughts: A Must-See Experience
CBeebies Panto 2024: Beauty and the Beast is a gem for families this festive season. It embodies the essence of Christmas, breathing new life into classic fairy tales with charm that resonates across all ages.
CAST
Rhys Stephenson - Beau / Beast
Maddie Moate - Thorn Fairy / Rosie
Puja Panchkoty – Bella
Evie Pickerill - Red
Justin Fletcher - Pops
Rebecca Keatley - Macey
Nigel Clarke - Casey
James Mackenzie - Snow Raven
Tyler Collins - Howl
Jennie Dale - Growl
Freddie Pooley - Gnome
Peter James - Gnome
Ben Cajee - Rudi
Joanna Adeyinka-Burford - Noelle
Shini Muthukrishnan – Ivy
George Webster - DJ Christmas
Dodge - Dodge
PLUS... Special guest – Steel from Gladiators
In partnership with Modern Films Family, CBeebies brings a special version of the panto, with a welcome from Dodge, will go out in cinemas from Friday 22nd November, and will be available on CBeebies and on BBC iPlayer from Saturday 7th December.
🎬 Approached to review
📸 Production Images CBeebies