Beauty and the Beast - Synopsis
Set in the West of Ireland with some topical references to American ‘Royalty’, this Panto combines all the magic and wonder of the traditional fairy tale.
King Duncan’s son, Prince Duncan Jnr, has been turned into a Beast by Evileena, the Wicked Witch from the West, because he refused to marry her. The Beast will die if he doesn’t find love before the Rose Petals Fade.
The arrogant Cathal McGregor fancies Belle, Potty Peter’s beautiful daughter, but she has no time for him.
Granny Grumble and her maid Silly Sally welcome America’s King Duncan & Queen Mathilda, with their manservant Scott to the local Hotel. They have come to find their son, the Prince. Sally and Scott are attracted to each other.
Granny Grumble is all alone and hopes to catch the eye of Potty Peter who is the audience friend and a crackpot inventor.
Potty Peter meets the comical Nettle & Thorn (who double up as the Mexicans José & Juan) when he plucks a Red Rose for his daughter in the garden of the Beast’s Castle. The Beast is outraged and holds him prisoner. Then Belle arrives and the Beast releases Potty Peter in exchange for his daughter. The Witch is delighted because she is convinced that Belle will reject the Beast who will then die.
All set out on a journey to save Belle. King Duncan discovers that his son is really the Beast. Potty Peter promises McGregor that he can marry his daughter if he rescues Belle. The witch puts a curse on McGregor so that he talks backwards.
The Beast releases Belle when she is unable to commit to marrying him and he prepares for his death.
King Duncan finds the Witches Book of Spells and manages to reverse all the ‘Spells’ so that the Witch loses her magic powers; She is forced to marry the conceited Cathal McGregor; The Beast is transformed back into a Prince; Everybody finds love and they all live happily ever after.
Principal Characters:
Prince Duncan Jnr. The Beast.
Belle Rosie Tralee (F) Principal Girl.
The Wicked Witch Evileena (F) The Evil One.
Granny Grumble The Dame.
Potty Peter Belle’s Dad and Audience Friend.
Cathal McGregor The “Gaston” Egoist Type.
King Duncan. ‘King’ type role.
Queen Mathilda. (F) ‘Queen’ type role.
Scott - King Duncan’s Manservant. ‘Dandini’ type role.
Silly Sally - Hotel Maid. (F) Light Comedy role.
Nettle / José - A goon - / A Mexican. Twit role
Thorn /Juan - A goon/ A Mexican. Twit role