Christmas pantomime written by and starring Iain Lauchlan, with Craig Hollingsworth, Abiola Falokun and Sion Lloyd, at the Belgrade Theatre.
Beauty and the Beast opens at the Belgrade Theatre on Wednesday 18 November, running through to Saturday 2 January 2027. It's the Belgrade's Christmas pantomime for 2026, produced in partnership with Imagine Theatre, and it's a familiar one: Belle is kidnapped by a Beast who is actually a prince under the curse of an evil enchantress, a spell that only true love can break. The production is built around the usual panto hallmarks—big scenery, colourful costumes, comedy, music, special effects and plenty of audience participation.
Iain Lauchlan is the man behind it, writing, directing and starring. He's a veteran of Coventry pantomimes, having most recently appeared in Sleeping Beauty, Dick Whittington and Cinderella, and here he takes on the role of Dame Dorothy Do-It. He's joined by Craig Hollingsworth as Willy-Do-It, returning for his 15th Belgrade panto, and Sion Lloyd as the Beast, a role he also played at the Belgrade in 2009 and 2021. Abiola Falokun makes her professional stage debut as Belle.
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There's a full creative team supporting them: choreographer Jenny Phillips, set designer Ian Westbrook, costume designer James Maciver, lighting designer Jason Taylor, sound designer Chris Mock, musical director David Haller and musical arranger Jamie Noar. The show runs from Wednesday 18 November to Saturday 2 January, with performances at 6.30pm, 7pm and 2pm, and tickets start from ÂŁ20.
