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Wee liberties: Beauty and The Beast: A Horny Love Story at Charing Cross Theatre

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It may not be a tale as old as time, but it’s still the same old story, almost, with Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story currently playing at the Charing Cross Theatre .  As the title suggests, this is not family holiday entertainment, but neither is it all gay gore. And a surprisingly large number of clever gags, a gorgeous-looking production, costumes, and an ensemble make for a classy night out with the occasional lashing of sluttiness.  It’s been a while since I have seen an adults-only panto. Like many things at the theatre—ticket prices, opening nights, age of social media influencers—things have changed. Happily, things have changed for the better here. The show focuses on assembling an excellent cast. Elaborate costumes by Robert Draper and David Shields’ set pieces help give this adult panto a touch of class. There are the usual lewd jokes and a quick flash of buttocks.   The setting of the story is in the northernmost village of Scotland, Lickmanochers. Not...

For the boys: The Pirates of Penzance @WiltonMusicHall



It’s still a man’s world in Cornwall. Or so it is in Sasha Reagan’s all-male version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. Ten years on from it’s first presentation, the show is still full of humour, energy and resourcefullness. And staged among the period features of Wilton’s Music Hall, it's a perfect match.

Over the years I’ve missed all the all-male cast versions staged by the Union Theatre. There’s been Iolanthe, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore. Which is too bad. What they lack in feminine presence they make up with in comic timing, energy and vigour. The show never misses a chance to bring out the humour in the situation, while still remaining largely faithful to the original material.


 It’s a resourceful production too. Simple props like a broom turn into a horse. Which is then fed a carrot. In a most amusing way.A ladder and some fabric become a pirate ship on the high seas (or at least on English Chanel). And no doubt the all-male cast doubling as both the pirates and the ladies keeps things economical too. 

Gender fluidity now also appears to be a topic worthy for exploration. The National Theatre’s When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other, explored it for a relentless and grim two hours. Here it’s done with a lighter touch and greater physicality you’d expect with a bunch of blokes.  With hairy chests and heavy perspiration you’re never in doubt you’re watching men on stage. But it’s men exploring their feminine side. And being as camp as Christmas in doing so. 


Under the musical direction of Richard Baker there’s some fine singing across the ensemble. And the cast members hit some impressive high notes too. Tom Senior is a dashing Frederic with his deadpan expressions, brawn and tenor voice. Alan Richardson is a delight as Mabel, the older woman of the piece. And David McKechnie as the Major-General pulls off the patter-singing with style. And when they come together for the rousing choruses they’re incredible.

Directed by Sasha Reagan, The Pirates of Penzance is at Wiltons Music Hall until March 16.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photos by Scott Rylander

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