Llangollen Pantomime Group have produced another monster hit with their stylish version of the classic Beauty and the Beast.
Resident wordsmith David Lyne has once again expertly tailored the script for a talented cast of around 50 to have some glorious, fast-paced and colourful fun with the piece, which began its run at the Town Hall last night (Thursday) and continues until Sunday.
Action revolves around the Llangollen-set cafe of the dame, Mrs Rose, wonderfully brought to life by that man David Lyne again.
It's the uproarious time that he and his three daughters - Bella, Ffion and Eira, skilfully played by Heledd Edwards, Elise Davies-Bottomley and Frankie Williams - have with the Beast and his odd bunch of cronies that sets the pace.
As expected there are plenty of local references in the script, not just to people like a certain Mrs Claybrook but also to events, such as the continuing, troublesome closure of Newbridge Road.
Costumes are little short of dazzling, especially the zany teacup creation worn by Mrs Potts - a marvellous interpretation by Niki Davies-Bottomley - in the Beast's creepy palace. The Beast himself is suitably scary yet sympathetic thanks to a nuanced performance by Steve Hughes.
Huge credit should go to whoever created some of props, like the tea trolley wheeled on by Mrs Potts which features two enormous cups holding the singing heads of her lads Jack and Crack, played by Austin Forkin and Tommy Edwards.
David Lyne's old stage partner Neil Barrett makes a welcome, larger-than-life return as the Roses' helpful yet inept family friend Bellamy Fluff who shares all their misadventures.
Sophie Siddall makes a suitably horrid "nasty" as Trystan, the leader of a gang of local yobs, who has his eye on young Bella.
Then there's a whole cavalcade of talented kids who play the parts of cafe customers, skeletons - I loved their dance in the forest - ghosts and mini bakers.
Apart from a number of fine singing voices at play, there's some powerful accompanying music, including the requisite sing-along stuff, courtesy of the band, which sees Jayne Belton on keyboards, Stuart Dillon on guitar, James Barber on bass, Barrie Roberts on drums and Lynsey Blair on flute and alto sax.
Backing all this up is a wonderful production team, led by director Louise Lyne, producer Samantha Fletcher and musical director Helen Belton. Choreography is by Sophie Siddall and Nike Bottomley-Davies.
Hope House Children's Hospices and the Llangollen Parks community group will both benefit from the proceeds of Beauty and the Beast, which is the group's 39th show.
* Mrs Rose (David Lyne) is confronted by the Beast (Steve Hughes).
* Neil Barrett as Bellamy Fluff.
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