A fabulous performance full of warmth, laughter, sparkle and joy from start to finish!
Balerno Theatre Company (BTC) kick off our panto season in Edinburgh this year with their production of Beauty and The Beast. Setting the story against the backdrop of Auld Reekie, we meet beautiful Belle McTavish, played by Kirsten Kegg, and her quick-witted mother, the local baker Dame Brenda McTavish, played by George Mackie.
They soon embark on a magical adventure to the cursed castle of Eidyn Palace, where Prince Sebastian (Mark Jones) has been transformed into a hideous beast by a beautiful enchantress (Debbie Spurgeon). Arriving one night at his lavish ball disguised as an elderly beggar woman, she offers him a rose in exchange for shelter. His cold-hearted refusal triggers his downfall, as she casts a powerful spell over the castle and all who live there. To break the curse before the last petal of the rose falls, the prince must learn to show kindness to those less fortunate than himself.
Meanwhile, the McTavish family and the townspeople face the wicked Baroness Morag De Bagg, played by Jessica Russell, who aims to seize control of the city in Prince Sebastian’s absence. Upon her invitation to the castle, Belle must teach the unhappy Beast to be a better person and break the spell in time to stop the Baroness’ plan to take over Auld Reekie once and for all.
Kirsten Kegg does a stellar job as our heroine, adapting well into the lead role with beautiful vocals to boot. George Mackie drives the show with high energy and excellent comedic timing as the pantomime dame. Teaming up at times with Michael Davis, who plays Hector, the pair bounce off each other brilliantly and deliver some truly hilarious exchanges.
Malcolm MacFayden, playing Squire Jimmy — the evil but slightly dim-witted sidekick of the Baroness — excels with well-crafted one-liners and slapstick humour throughout. Russell’s top-class performance as the Baroness is everything a pantomime could hope for, with superb vocals and slick interactions that encourage the audience to revel in all her pomp and splendour. Pantomime traditions shine throughout, with characters venturing into the audience and keeping the energy high from start to finish.
The strong ensemble executes Sophie Douglas’s choreography with confidence. Though the stage can feel a little crowded at times, it never detracts from the sheer talent within the chorus. Special mention goes to the younger cast cameos, particularly Roman Mitchell as Senga, who delivers a feisty, comical performance and engages the audience wonderfully in the dynamic duo of Senga and Hector.
Debbie Spurgeon does a great job as the enchantress, showcasing her undeniable singing and dancing talents during her song “Ripple”. Mark Jones brings sincerity and vulnerability to the Beast, creating lovely moments of humour and connection with Kirsten Kegg. There were perhaps one or two tuning issues during larger solo numbers, but these didn’t hinder the professional execution across the cast and creative team.
Musical Director James McCutcheon leads his four-part band with great energy and enthusiasm through a repertoire of upbeat and recognisable numbers. MM’s sound and lighting design are slick and impressive, supporting seamless transitions. The colourful costumes add warmth and charm, perfect for a winter’s night of magic and joy.
Lewis Baird’s directorial choices strike a strong balance, using projections for locations and key set pieces to create quick, effective transitions. Magical moments are cleverly woven into the dialogue and character interactions, and Baird’s trust in his talented cast is evident throughout. He should be proud of the high standard of work delivered.
This pantomime will leave you feeling ready for Christmas and is not to be missed. Catch it this week at the Churchill Theatre, running from 3rd to 6th December 2025. Don’t miss out on getting your tickets!
Tickets here.