A few months ago there was doubt over whether there would be any Panto taking place in Dartford at all this Christmas. The fact that we were able to step into a brand new theatre space a mere six weeks after construction started is no mean feat! Dartford is extremely lucky that the collaboration between Dartford Borough Council and Trafalgar Theatres resulted in a state-of-the art temporary theatre venue being built so that the shows could go on despite remedial works to the existing Orchard Theatre. Dartford Living were excited to be invited to the first show to take to the stage of Orchard West, the panto, Beauty and the Beast. The panto follows a similar story to the well known tale but with lots of fun, some superb singing, amazing magic and even some incredible acrobatics! Shona McGarty (who many will recognise as Whitney from Eastenders) plays Belle and I have to say she really surprised us. We expected her acting to be good but her singing blew us away. She was brilliant!The other members of the cast didn’t disappoint either. John Archer (Comedy magician and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist) who plays Belle’s Dad, Maurice, was not only funny but we loved his magic tricks! Tom Senior (who has previously starred as Gaston in the West End) made a brilliant Flash Harry, the perfect pantomime baddie. Not too scary for the kids, but villain enough that there was raucous booing every time he came on stage.The children’s favourite however was definitely Silly Billy, the slapstick, goofy brother of Belle played by actor Harry Reid (also formerly of Eastenders). The whole cast shined and made it a really enjoyable evening for everyone. In true panto style there really was something for all the family, innuendos, fart jokes, tic toking ghosts (you need to see that one to believe it but it was a big hit in the rows around us). It was truly magical hearing children giggling, adults cheering and even seeing teenagers crack a smile – the perfect prelude to Christmas. We don’t want to spoil too much but we’d definitely highly recommend grabbing a ticket to Beauty and the Beast, if there are any left. Hurry, it finishes on Christmas Eve!
Get your tickets at https://orchardtheatre.co.uk/Online/tickets-beauty-and-the-beast-dartford-2023
