AN ADULT PANTO THAT BRINGS CHAOS, QUEER JOY AND A WHOLE LOT OF FUN

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

I have seen a few He’s Behind You productions now, and they always manage to hit the same sweet spot. Chaos, sharp humour and a cast who throw themselves into every second of it. The energy is infectious from the moment they step on stage. They commit to every moment with wild enthusiasm, blending passion, silliness and pure chaos. It spreads through the audience in seconds.

There are the classic panto moments like booing, saying hello to characters, and even a sing-along section. You can’t help but join in. Although I did struggle with the sing-along. They brought on a large book with the words so the audience could join in, which I couldn’t read from the back. It just needed bigger text, but it still made me laugh seeing everyone trying to keep up as they sped through.

CHEEKY MUSIC, BOLD LYRICS, AND A WHOLE LOT OF RUDENESS

The music has the usual cheeky tone. Bold lyrics, rude humour and no hesitation in leaning into the adult rating. The only challenge was understanding some of the lyrics. The Scottish numbers were tricky for me, while the more Cockney-leaning ones landed straight away. I mean, I am from South London, so I would understand that before anything else. There is plenty of swearing and filthy humour, so this is not one for the shy or the easily offended. Thankfully, that is not me, and I loved every second.

What they achieve on such a small stage is impressive. Charing Cross Theatre is not the biggest, but they make the most of every inch. Scene changes move from a Scottish petrol station to the Beast’s castle and then to an oil rig. Each shift works well, and nothing feels messy or rushed. The sound design also deserves praise. There is a strong sense of atmosphere throughout the show. No water ever touches the stage, yet somehow you still feel it. It proves how far creative touches can go in a tight space.

HOW CREATIVE DESIGN TURNS A SMALL THEATRE INTO A BIG WORLD

One thing I said in a previous review still stands. This company’s LGBTQ representation is outstanding. They do not add queer characters as decoration. They place them at the centre of the story. It feels natural and joyful rather than a box tick. It adds a fresh angle to a classic fairytale and gives the show a real sense of identity. And in a world where queer stories are still too often sanitised or pushed aside, it feels refreshing and needed. That is something I respect every time.

The cast is brilliant across the board. Matt Kennedy brings such sweetness and charm to Bertie, and you root for him from the start. Keanu Adolphus Johnson gives us a moody beast with the perfect amount of “sexy in a certain light”. Laura Anna Mead is fantastic and really brought the heart and fun to the show. Matthew Baldwin is a born dame and has the audience wrapped around their finger. Chris Lane leans into villainy most deliciously. And the ensemble supports the madness with full commitment and helps turn the tighter space into something that feels much bigger.

Beauty and the Beast A Horny Love Story is exactly what I hoped for from this team. It is filthy, joyful, queer, rude and packed with heart. It gives you the comfort of panto with the freedom of adult comedy, and it keeps you laughing even in the moments where you are thinking I cannot believe they just said that. A chaotic, magical dream, which is exactly what they promised.

Beauty & The Beast – A Horny Love Story is running at Charing Cross Theatre until Sunday 11 January.

WEBSITE

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Photo Credit: Steve Gregson