The countdown to Christmas in Chester is officially on – with just over a week to go before this year’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast dances onto the stage at Storyhouse.
The spellbinding new version of the much-loved fairytale opens on Friday 5th December for the start of a month-long festive run.
For those who can’t wait, however, we’ve been allowed a special sneak peek behind the scenes with exclusive photographs from the rehearsal room as director John Young puts the production’s cast through their paces.
“Our extraordinary company are working tirelessly to create a magical and joyful production that is the perfect for the entire family,” said director John Young.
“With something for everyone we hope to give Chester the story of Beauty and the Beast told through magical music, hilarious characters and wonderful choreography.”
Storyhouse creative director Suzie Henderson added: “Christmas is always such a special time of year for us here at Storyhouse, and I’m really excited we’re following last season’s Sleeping Beauty with another fabulous production for our family audiences.
“[Playwright] Anne Odeke has captured all the many wonderful elements that make Beauty and the Beast such a fairytale favourite and combined them in a story which is familiar but also uniquely Storyhouse – full of joy, imagination, warmth and community.
“I’m also delighted to welcome John Young back to direct. John is an alchemist, and he and the cast have been hard at work – and play – creating theatrical magic in the rehearsal room.
“I can’t wait now for the show to open and to see audiences enjoying what I know is going to be an enchanting and memorable shared experience.”
Beauty and the Beast is brimming with laugh-out-loud scenes, audience interaction and a soundtrack of musical favourites.
Each performance will also be captioned, with additional audio-described, British Sign Language-interpreted and relaxed performances offered throughout the run to ensure all audiences can enjoy the magic.
The witty adaptation is written by acclaimed playwright Anne Odeke, who has also written for Storyhouse’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.
She is making her festive debut – following her adaptation of Little Women, which delighted audiences in Chester in 2022.
Director John Young is known for his acclaimed Grosvenor Park open air productions, including Romeo and Juliet and The Gangs of New York as well as the 2023 Chester Mystery Plays.
On stage, Katarina Zofia plays Belle and Daniel Bowskill appears as the Beast, Henri.
Back by popular demand are Tom Richardson (Marcel/Pascal) and Caitlin Drake (Amelie) and they are joined by Poppy Afolabi (Rene), Tom Lloyd (Gregoire/Judge), Miriam O’Brien (Nightshade), Tom Pigram (Faby), Emmy Stonelake (Lavender), Panav Viswanathan (Pierre) and House of Dance.
The show’s musical director is Rebecca Applin while choreography comes from Christopher Tendai.
Chloe Vickers is assistant choreographer, and Kaitlin Howard is fight and intimacy director.
The designer is Amy Jane-Cook, with lighting by Aaron Dootson and sound by Kieran Lucas.
Beauty and the Beast
Storyhouse Chester
Friday 5th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026
Tickets from £15
01244 409 113
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