On Thursday 30 November, Cast opened its doors to welcome the first public audience for their tenth Christmas pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. Written by Neil Hurst and directed by Tess Seddon, this latest panto has been seen by over 4,500 audience members in its opening week.
This year Cast celebrated its tenth birthday, marking the milestone throughout the year with various events, such as their Fundraising Gala, several digital commissions including The Glasshouse by Doncaster artist Wayne Sables, and the debut production of Children of the Night by Doncaster writer-performer Danielle Phillips. Beauty and the Beast marks the culmination of these celebrations.
The show has six principal characters and three senior ensemble members played by professional performers, as well as eighteen junior ensemble performers from Doncaster and the surrounding areas. In typical panto fashion, the traditional tale has been tweaked and transposed to give it a local flavour. This story takes places in the fictional French town of Donny-Le-Don and audiences can expect plenty familiar Doncastrian references and gags.
We follow precocious bibliophile Beauty as she endeavours to save her mother and brother, Dame Cherie Trifle and Philippe Philoppe, from the castle of the cursed and reclusive Beast. Along the way she has help from Fairy Nuff, an employee of Fairies-R-Us, and setbacks from the egotistical bad guy Emile.
Beauty and the Beast runs until Sunday 31 December. Tickets can be purchased from Cast’s box office by calling 01302 303959 or online at:
https://www.castindoncaster.com/whats-on/beauty-and-the-beast-christmas-pantomime-2023/
Principle Cast
Beauty: Zweyla Mitchell dos Santos
Beast: Kofi Dennis
Dame Cheri Trifle: Ben Eagle
Philippe Philoppe: Harry Gascoigne
Emile: Max Gallagher
Fairy Nuff: Claire Storey
Senior Ensemble
Understudy Dame & Philippe: Adam Martyn
Understudy Beauty & Fairy: Chloe Hoyte
Understudy Beast & Emile: Lewis Day
