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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...

Extraordinary shenanigans: Extraordinary Women - Jermyn Street Theatre

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Compton Mackenzie’s novel about bed-hopping lesbians on Capri (here fictionalised as Sirene) and their escapades gets a musicalised treatment in this intimate show. It’s all a bit silly, really, and not much happens in the end. However, the musical succeeds in evoking a time, a place, and a mood with its sublime music and stellar cast. It’s currently playing at Jermyn Street Theatre.

Set in the aftermath of World War I in 1919, Extraordinary Women explores the lives of unconventional women—chiefly English writer Aurora (Caroline Sheen) and her lover, Rosalba (Amy Ellen Richardson). Aurora has purchased a villa on the island with the hope of encouraging her part-time lover, Rosalba, to settle down with her exclusively. However, Rosalba, who is romantically involved with several women and depends on them for her lifestyle, is hesitant to commit. The story revolves around their on-again, off-again romance, along with the various affairs among the other women on Sirene. Meanwhile, the ancient Greek goddesses act as spectators and occasional participants, offering commentary like a classic Greek chorus.

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Richardson brings fire with a Marlene Dietrich-like performance and appearance. Sophie Louise Dann delivers hilarious comic moments as the avant-garde French opera singer Cleo. Jack Butterworth, the lone male, plays five male characters and showcases his singing and dancing abilities. 

With so much bed-hopping and intrigue, it’s easy to lose track of who is seeing whom, but it’s even easier just to sit back and feel the spirit of the time and place that is unfolding before you. You may be in a basement theatre off Piccadilly Circus, but the show makes you feel like you could be on Capri.

The songs, with music by Sara Travis and lyrics by Richard Stirling, are exceptional, capturing the period’s musical styles. Some numbers, like “If Summer ends”, feel like modern standards fit for the cabaret circuit. The talented cast shines, supported by musical director Sam Sommerfeld on piano and James William-Pattison on double bass and guitar. The Jermyn Street Theatre’s intimate space suits the production, but hopefully this isn’t the show’s last outing.

Directed by Paul Foster, Extraordinary Women continues at the Jermyn Street Theatre until 10 August. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Photos by Steve Gregson

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