Beauty and the Beast: Lichfield Preview

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Fri 24 Nov 2023 - Sun 07 Jan 2024

You can't keep a good Dame down! In the wonderful tradition of pantomime, Lichfield stage legend Sam Rabone has been pulling on a stunning array of frocks to appear as the Dame in Lichfield Garrick theatre's seasonal shows over the last few years. This year, the Garrick has joined forces once again with Paul Hendy and Evolution Productions to bring audiences another favourite festive treat in the form of Beauty & the Beast. And resident Dame Sam will be back for his eighth year at the Garrick Theatre as he returns as Madame Fillop.

Sam says: “I'm thrilled to be back for my eighth season at the Garrick, and after a short gap, back with my old partner in crime Ben Thornton! Bringing Ben back means one thing and one thing only... it's time to bring on the slosh! Yes, slosh will be back, and we're going to be messier than ever before. We've got a super cast of West End stars... and Ben! We've got some amazing singers this year... and Ben! And I can't wait to be in the room with all the talent that Lichfield Garrick has found for you this year.... oh, and Ben, of course!”



Beauty & the Beast opens at the Lichfield Garrick on November 24 and continues throughout the Christmas and New Year period, right up until January 7. Despite having to work with Sam again, Ben says he is delighted to be back in Lichfield after spending a wonderful three years here in pantomime between 2016 and 2018. He may have a little less hair now but he’s still bringing the same amount of comedy (and slosh)! He’ll be taking on the role of Sam’s son, Phillipe.

Also joining the cast are Kat Chatterton (Harry Potter Studio Tour, Pippin, Smile) as Belle, Natalie Pilkington (Six the Musical) as the Fairy, Melad Hamidi (Les Misérables) as the Prince/Beast, Sarah Annakin (Magic Mike Live London, Hormonal Housewives) as the Enchantress, and Jacob Kohli (Camelot in Concert, The King & I, Kathy & Stella Solve A Murder) as Danton.



Daniel Buckroyd, the Garrick's Artistic Director, who will also be directing this year’s production, says: "I love Christmas at the theatre - the joy that panto brings to so many families - and the show we’ve got lined up for Lichfield audiences this year promises to be our best yet. I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with Sam, Ben and the rest of our amazing cast."

Beauty & the Beast promises to be a dazzling show with stunning sets, sensational song and dance numbers, larger-than-life costumes, and plenty of audience participation... oh yes, it does!
Beauty & the Beast opens at the Lichfield Garrick theatre on Friday 24th November and runs through until Sunday 7th January 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the Garrick website at www.lichfieldgarrick.com or from the theatre Box Office on 01543 412121.

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#comedy
#family_friendly

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