The Grand Opera House York and Martin Dodd for UK Productions have today announced a brand new pantomime for York, opening in December 2024.
With side-splitting comedy, sumptuous costumes, fabulous scenery, a thrilling transformation scene and an award-winning script by Jon Monie (Winner Best Script – Great British Pantomime Awards), this magical Panto is one not to be missed!
Belle and The Beast will be joined by a whole host of larger-than-life characters, as they are transported to a cursed castle under the spell of an evil enchantress. Can the arrogant Hugo be defeated? Can Belle see beyond the Beast and fall in love with her captor? Will the Beast’s heart be melted by Belle’s beauty? You’ll have to book a ticket to find out.
Beauty and the Beast will be the third year that UK Productions have brought their signature stamp of quality to the Grand Opera House York with this pantomime set to be the largest in scale yet.
Martin Dodd, Managing Director of UK Productions, says ‘We are delighted to continue our relationship with the Grand Opera House and bring one of the most popular fairy tales of all time, our award winning Beauty and the Beast, to audiences in York. The production is spectacular and contains all the elements that young and old will love, and we look forward to announcing the star casting very soon”
Laura McMillan, Theatre Director for the Grand Opera House says “The annual pantomime is the biggest show in the Theatre’s calendar and to be welcoming Beauty and the Beast to our stage is incredibly exciting. There’s nothing like pantomime to introduce children and young people to Theatre and I have no doubt that Belle, The Beast and the rest of the characters will bring so much joy this winter”
Suitable for audiences of all ages, this hilarious slap-stick comedy spectacular will keep the whole family entertained this Christmas. The show will run from Saturday 7 December 2024 and will close on Sunday 5 January 2025. Tickets start from £15 and go on sale Monday 11 March at 4pm via atgtickets.com/york
Also announced today is the departure of Berwick Kaler from the Grand Opera House Pantomime. Berwick has been a beloved Dame in York since 1977 and it has been a privilege for the Grand Opera House to host Berwick and the Gang for the last three years. Martin Barrass, Suzy Cooper, AJ Powell, and David Leonard will also not be returning. The cast for Beauty and the Beast will be announced in coming weeks.
Berwick Kaler said
“After 47 years getting away with complete nonsense, it’s time to bow out gracefully and I couldn’t have wished for a better production than Robinson Crusoe. I’d like to thank all of the audiences over the years, and particularly those who came to the Grand Opera House this year for making it so memorable. I’d also like to thank the Producers UK Productions for their support, and for bringing to life my frankly mad ideas so spectacularly. Last and of course not least my loyal gang, David, Suzy, Martin, and AJ for putting up with me for so many years!”