Beauty and the Beast
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 Belle 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.
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
- Sat 13 Dec, 1:00 pm
- 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
- Sun 7 Dec, 4:00 pm
- Mon 29 Dec, 6:00 pm
Special Offer
For a limited time only, if you’ve booked tickets to see A Christmas Carol we’ve got an enchanted special offer just for you!
Book before 9 Jan to save 10% on your tickets to Beauty and the Beast. Just use promo code BEAUTY when booking tickets online, over the phone or in person at our Box Office.
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
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.
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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.
Beauty and the Beast
- Relaxed performance
- BSL
- Captioned
- Audio described
- Relaxed performance
- BSL
- Captioned
- Captioned
- Audio described