REVIEW: Beauty and the Beast Panto at Playhouse Whitley Bay
Written by Angel Smith on 14th December 2025
Coming from a small family that’s on the older side, I have, in my adulthood, grown to love watching shows which are aimed at a younger audience. Before going to watch this display of Beauty and the Beast, I had yet to delve into the world of the Pantomime and it is safe to say I can consider myself pleasantly surprised.
The show is a wonderful mix of comedy, emotion and fun. There’s cheeky adult humour which was loved by the parents in the audience, but also trendy humour with the children including a “six seven” reference which was a major hit.
Image Credit: Playhouse Whitley Bay
The talent within this cast absolutely shines through, with Chris Mcleish’s impeccable vocals as the Beast, Steve Walls’ skillful ability to hold an audience’s attention, Dani Harmer’s clear and justified stage presence and not to mention the incredible performances from the dancers. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Dani Harmer performance without a Tracy Beaker reference.
Some notable moments within the show have to be, the cooking segment in which cooking ingredients are thrown all over the stage and on the performers which proved to be a hit with the children in the audience, and the quoted dance segment, in which a word was stated at the end of a sentence which matched up to the song that would start playing. This included a mix of newer and trendier songs which the children in the audience could enjoy and some fun older songs which parents could recognise.
Image Credit: Playhouse Whitley Bay
While checking off the traditional pantomime necessities, including a quip to an audience member in the front row, a pie to the face, classic innuendos and many more, this pantomime was an incredible rendition of the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast.
An honourable mention to the jaw-dropping costumes in this show. I have to say one of my highlights of this show was seeing Dame Patsy (Daniel Mawston) walk out in an ungodly amount of beautiful gowns throughout the show.
Image Credit: Playhouse Whitley Bay
When asked about next year’s panto, Snow White, Steve Walls said: “Absolutely love Snow White, it’s a beautiful story. It’s a panto I always look forward to.”
Beauty and the Beast will be running from Friday 5th December 2025 until Saturday 3rd January 2026, so get your tickets quick!
