‘Beauty and the Beast’ entertaining audiences at the Millennium Forum

2025, ‘It’s (almost) behind you!’ which can mean only one thing, it’s panto time at Derry’s Millenium Forum -  Oh yes it is!

And from the first ‘Kapow!’ - the entrance of Fairy Formidable (Karen Hawthorne)  - to the last - streamers cascading from the ceiling to the surprised delight of the youngsters in the audience - Beauty and the Beast was absolutely wonderful entertainment.

I was in the company of Miss Penny Bradley (6) and her mammy and daddy and honestly,  it did my heart good to watch the joy on her face throughout. 

Miss Penny Bradley and her mammy, Emma, and her daddy, Eoin, enjoying 'Beauty and the Beast'.

She laughed, she sang, she clapped, she shouted, and she booed - mostly at the excellent baddie and my favourite character, Danton (Aodhan Kehoe). Her sheer excitement when the cast came into the audience at the end was infectious.

The whole audience really enjoyed the craic throughout the show, even that one Foyle MLA who got a bit of teasing from the stunning Dame Dolly (Gary Wilson). 

Heart-throb baddie Danton (Aodhan Kehoe) with his admirers.

On the way out, Penny told me it was "brilliant". The highest possible praise from the panto demographic.

It is no surprise that almost 30,000 tickets have been booked to see Beauty and the Beast, putting it in the running for the fastest selling panto in the theatre’s 25 year history.

For Wednesday night’s high energy performance alone the uber talented cast should take a bow: Eimear Friel (Belle) and Luke de Belder (The Beast), and Niamh Morrison (Loopy Lolly), Caitlyn Kelly (Ticker) and Dara Bradley (Flicker).

A very special mention must go to exceptional dancers: Leigh Chapman, Phoebe McCord, Holly Deane, Emmet Stewart, Rosie Maguire and Freya Cummings, and the Rainbow School of Dance Junior and senior chorus, who performed Venessa Chapman’s choreography beautifully. 

Director Jonathan Burgess, musical director Alan Wright and an incredible technical crew, led by Chloe Harkin, have certainly given Derry and our festive visitors a panto to remember. 

I would also like to give a big shout out to the two gentlemen who signed the entire panto with energy and verve. They were magic. 

David McLaughlin, Chief Executive of the Millennium Forum and writer/producer of Beauty and the Beast, was right when he said Christmas pantomimes had always been at the heart of the Derry Christmas. 

The hilarious Loopy Lolly - Niamh Morrison.

'The Hall’ tradition continued at the Forum since it hosted its very first panto back in 2001.  

IN PICTURES: Festive magic on Enagh Crescent as Santa switches on Christmas lights

Santa visited Enagh Crescent to switch on the Christmas tree lights, bringing festive cheer to the community event

IN PICTURES: Santa helps light up Strathfoyle for Christmas

The annual Christmas lights switch-on event brought festive cheer to the community of Strathfoyle

“Since then, generations of families have enjoyed magical Christmas memories at our theatre and this year promises to be no exception,” said David. 

Sponsored by the Richmond Centre, Beauty and the Beast runs until Wednesday, December 31. The Christmas Eve matinee performance at 1.00pm will allow local audiences to experience the festive magic in anticipation for Santa’s arrival later that night. 

Tickets are now available and are priced from £13.50.  A number of accessible performances are also available and each performance will feature a Makaton song. 

Telephone the Box Office on 71 264455 (option 1) or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.