Review: Ya Wee Beauty And The Beastie
Kings Theatre, Kirckaldy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s all in the writing at Kirckaldy this year in this glorious little pantomime from the team at Scotland’s most intimate panto venue, The Kings Theatre Live Lounge.
Ya Wee Beauty And The Beastie is a love letter to Kirckaldy, KDY for short, and its people; a love letter that embraces the Lang Toun’s past, acknowledges its decline and champions its regeneration, while celebrating the Fifers that call Kirckaldy home. And if Jonathon Stone and Mark McDonnell’s script is a belter, so too are MD Stephen Roberts’ musical choices, even if a couple do slightly outstay their welcome.
All the action unfolds on the Kings’ wee stage, which scrubs up well due to the attentions of designers Stone, Graham Scott and Lewis Milne. Lilias Conroy’s evocative cloth depicting the High Street is especially eye-catching. The combined effect is to transform the space available to them, from the Kirkcaldy street scene to the shadowy depths of Ravenscraig Castle and from an enchanted rose garden to a banqueting hall, amongst others. A floral proscenium construct and gorgeous front cloth add to the aesthetic richness.
As for the story, well, the evil Lady Thornybush has stolen the magical Rose of Ravenscraig which, according to legend, will wither and die if ever removed from the castle, causing Kirckaldy to fall. The theft will also bring about the demise of the obnoxious Laird Callum, who has been transformed into a beast by the wicked sorceress. Can local girl, Bella, save him from himself and his fate before time runs out? She can certainly rely on her auld ma, Dame Kitty McCrivvens and the Laird’s forgetful factotum, Jings, to help.
Bursting with energy, the six strong cast use every inch of the stage to great effect thanks to Stone’s slick direction and it’s great to see a traditional ‘It’s behind You’ scene and a Sweetie Shower included in the action.
Billy Mack is instantly endearing as the old school dame, engaging, cheeky and with just the right amount of sauce, he brings a lovely warmth to the character and a depth of truth that at times makes the even simplest of scenes unexpectedly moving.
Mark McDonnell’s Jings too keeps the audience interaction high as does Christina Strachan’s fabulously bad baddie who even elicits a communal gasp of horror as she fells poor Bella.
As Bella and the Laird, Sarah Brown Cooper and Robin Mackenzie demonstrate strong singing voices while narrator, Mercat, Kirckaldy’s coolest kitty ensures that even the littlest in the audience are kept enchanted, thanks to the puppetry skills of Graham Scott.
Bringing the tale as old as time into the ‘present’, Ya Wee Beauty and the Beastie expertly laces local social comment through the laughs and songs, showing an understanding of place and people that is never lost on its audience. If ever a panto made you want to be a Fifer, this is it. Being from KDY is definitely a state of mind.
Runs until 6 January 2024, Tickets here
