A staple in every family’s festive calendar, The Belgrade Theatre’s annual pantomime is set to return this Christmas with a suitably raucous rendition of Beauty and the Beast , written and directed by the award-winning Iain Lauchlan.
It has recently been announced that Lauchlan, who earned his stripes presenting children’s programmes such as Playschool, Fingermouse, and Playdays, will also star in the show as Dame Dorothy Do-It.
Meanwhile, audience favourite and veritable veteran of the Coventry panto scene, Craig Hollingsworth, will be back on stage as Willy-Do-It, marking his 15th pantomime at the Belgrade.
Sion Lloyd will take on the role of the Beast for the third time in her career, with Abiola Falokun due to make her professional debut as Belle.
Elsewhere, Morna Macpherson, who audiences may recognise from the Belgrade’s 2022 performance of Jack and the Beanstalk, will play the Enchantress.
David Gillbrook will be returning to the stage as Belle’s father, Harold, while Aonghas Ewen will play the dual roles of the Prince and Ensemble.
Alice Ellwood and Ayo Akande will both appear at The Belgrade Theatre for the first time as members of the Ensemble.
The year’s production will run from Wednesday 18 November 2026 until Saturday 2 January 2027, with tickets available now.
Alongside Beauty and the Beast , the Belgrade Theatre will also be playing host to the stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ beloved Father Christmas between Thursday 3 December and Sunday 27 December 2026 – click here to nab yourself a seat.
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