Beauty and the Beast
Performance Times: 10am / 11am / 1pm / 1.30pm / 3pm / 4pm / 6pm / 7pm
Overview
A Northern Stage production
By Lucy Kirkwood
Devised by Katie Mitchell and Lucy Kirkwood
“I expect you have been told fairytales before. But you have never really heard a fairytale until you have heard it told by a real fairy.”
A stolen rose spells bad news for our heroine Beauty and her unfortunate dad in this enchantingly wicked retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Families are invited to join our narrators – two mischievous fairies – a ‘Thoughtsnatcher machine’, and a helpful rabbit to experience this tale as old as time in new and touching ways for Christmas 2025.
With music provided by the fleas and flies, lices and louses of the Insect Orchestra, you’ll find yourself in rural France with an eclectic cast of characters as the Prince hopes to lift a disgruntled fairy’s beastly spell.
Northern Stage’s adaptation of Beauty and the Beast puts a magical and hilarious twist on a much-loved story for new audiences and fans of the original tale.
Captioned by Philip Armstrong
Audio Description by Louise Ainsley
BSL interpretation by Caroline Ryan and Irmina St Catherine
Touch tours are available one hour prior to audio described performances, meeting at our box office, and can be booked onto for free during checkout.
If a performance is sold out, email info@northernstage.co.uk or call 0191 230 5151 to be added to our waiting list.
Access Performances
Audio described
- Mon 22 Dec, 1:00 pm
- Sat 3 Jan, 7:00 pm
BSL
- Tue 30 Dec, 6:00 pm
Captioned
- Sun 21 Dec, 1:00 pm
- Tue 30 Dec, 6:00 pm
- Wed 31 Dec, 1:00 pm
Relaxed performance
- Mon 29 Dec, 6:00 pm
Reviews of the original production:
“Chock-full of clever ideas” Whatsonstage.com
“Clever, fast and endearing, with grand insults and proper jeopardy.” The Times
“The story is beautifully and touchingly told… a continuously inventive delight” Telegraph
“This new devised version is blessed with a sassy script by Lucy Kirkwood… Beauty-fully done” Evening Standard
Production Photos
Meet the cast & creatives
Cast
Beauty – Bridget Marumo
Beast – Conor McCready
Pink – Helena Antoniou
Cecile – Lucy Doig
Father – Davey Hopper
Lettice/Rabbit – Maya Torres
Understudy – Chloe Millar, Brogan Gilbert
Creatives
Director – Bryony Shanahan
Set & Costume Designer – Verity Quinn
Lighting Designer – Dan Saggars
Sound Design & Additional Underscore – Annie May Fletcher
Costume Supervisor – Lucy Minta Reeves
Original Songs & Music – Katie Doherty
Animator – Scott Turnbull
Magic Consultant – Richard Essien, aka Magical Bones
Movement Director – Martin Hylton
Casting Directors – Jenkins McShane Casting CDG
Seating
A note on seating:
For Beauty and the Beast there will be two blocks of seating: Section 1 and Section 2 with the stage in the middle.
The show is created to perform to audiences in both seating blocks equally. There is no ‘best’ area. Section 2 has fewer seats so the back row of Section 2 is closer to the action than the back of Section 1. You’ll get a great view of the action wherever you choose to sit.
Please note, if you wish to make use of our audio description, captioning and/or BSL interpretation, we advise that you book tickets in Section 1.
Relaxed performances
If you’re coming to a relaxed performance of Beauty and the Beast, here’s some additional information that you might find helpful prior to your visit. Relaxed performances are ideal for anyone who may require a more relaxed approach to noise and movement within the auditorium during the show – and that’s ok!
This means the show won’t look too different than usual, just that there will be more visibility in the auditorium for your safety, whilst maintaining a relaxed environment. We’ve also taken our levels of sound effects, music, and speech into careful consideration for our neurodivergent guests. However, in case these levels are still overwhelming or over stimulating, please be prepared with ear defenders. Our Box Office has a selection of adult and child sizes which you’re free to borrow.
Our front of house staff will be here to support you throughout your experience, so please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. We’re committed to providing you not only with a relaxed performance, but a relaxed experience all around.
Also, a few helpful tips before your visit:
We understand that travel could be a challenging journey for some, and that’s okay! Please contact us with any questions regarding arrival and location so we can offer you the most up to date information as possible, especially with weather in mind. We want you to arrive safely to deter any additional stress before the performance.
Please also keep in mind the amount of time your personal travel may require for your party. It’s ideal to allow enough time to get into the venue and settled into your seats before the performance begins. We wouldn’t want you to miss even one festive moment in this beautiful story!
And finally, we’ve found it helpful to remind any members of your party who may need it; that what’s happening on stage is pretend, and that there may be bits that seem dark or a bit scary. When we begin the show, we’ll also include an introduction speech, allowing you to get a taste of some sound levels, light levels, and to see how lovely our actors are who might seem scary on stage.
This may seem like quite a bit of information, but we’re proud of the work we’ve done to offer our audiences relaxed performances, and we want you to be as prepared as possible. We look forward to having you here with us for Beauty and the Beast!
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There are two entrances to the theatre, Kings Road Entrance (this is the taxi drop-off/collection point) and the Main Entrance.
Both level entrances have automated doors. These lead into the foyer area where you will find the Restaurant, Bar, Box Office and entrances to Stages 1, 2 and 3.
STEP FREE ACCESS
Northern Stage is fully accessible. The theatre has three lifts providing access to all parts of the building, including the accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, stages 2 & 3 and the backstage area. Buggy parking is available
WHEELCHAIR SPACES
There are five wheelchair positions in Stage 1, two positions in Stage 2 and all seats are removeable in Stage 3.
TOILETS
We have a Changing Places toilet in the Stage 1 lobby and accessible toilets in Stage 3 and Stage 2 lower entrance lobby. Gender neutral toilets are situated in the Stage 2 lower entrance lobby.
HEARING ENHANCEMENT
Induction loop system in all public spaces, and an infra-red system in all three stages. (In Stage 1 the induction loop is best covered in rows E – L).
ASSISTANCE
One free ticket for the assistant of a disabled person who is not able to attend unaccompanied.
BOOKING COMPANION SEATING
To book a free ticket for a wheelchair companion or an assistant, contact our Box Office on 0191 230 5151, via email at boxoffice@northernstage.co.uk or by visiting our Box Office in person.
GUIDE DOGS
Guide, hearing and all working dogs are welcome here.
SEAT ACCESSIBILITY
Stage 1: Seats are 43 cm wide, 41cm deep, with 46cm between arm rests. The aisleway is 51cm deep from the seat back. Arm rests cannot be removed.
Stage 2: Seats are 40cm wide, 41cm deep. The aisleway is 64cm deep from the seat back. There are no arm rests.
Our seats are rated to British Standards at installation and are guaranteed to hold up to 110kg.
More Information
To discuss any access needs, take a look at our access page or please call our Box Office on 0191 230 5151.