Since the posters featuring Tracy Beaker’s smiling face started popping up across York, our youngest has been counting down to the opening of this year’s Grand Opera House pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. Not only was she excited about seeing one of her CBBC favourites in real life, but she’s also a huge fan of the classic fairytale. So as always with our panto trips, expectations were high but as soon as we spotted the snow machine at the theatre entrance, covering us in a seasonal dusting, we knew we were in for a treat.
The story is brought to life by a dazzling, high-energy cast that makes the nearly three-hour runtime fly by. Dani Harmer shines as the smart and sassy Fairy Bon Bon (a.k.a. Tracy Beaker) and was our daughter’s favourite character, closely followed by Jennifer Caldwell’s brilliant Belle. Hugo, the mischievous villain, delivers some laugh-out-loud, scene-stealing lines, while Phil Reid’s Louis La Plonk keeps the audience engaged with silly jokes and songs that get everyone singing along. Leon Craig’s iconic panto dame adds a cheeky twist and a big dose of innuendo that (fortunately) will go over most children’s heads! The songs are fabulous, especially Samuel Wyn Morris’s Meatloaf number, and we loved the twinkling costumes and sets. The Grand Opera House’s Beauty and the Beast is a funny, joyful show that’s an un-belle-ievably fun family night out.
Beauty and the Beast is showing until Sunday 5th January and includes daytime and evening performances – Visit the website
Are you the organised type?!
Next year’s panto has been announced! Cinderella will run at the Grand Opera House York from Saturday 6th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026 is on general sale with early bird rates available – Visit the website
