Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story | Charing Cross Theatre

Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story is a treat with all the traditional traits of a classic pantomime with some outrageous humour and wit scattered in. The third adult pantomime from He’s Behind You!, bringing ‘hilarious, naughty and wonderfully gay pantomimes’ to the heart of London, as a company they are nothing short of fantastic at doing just this.

The Charing Cross Theatre is an ideal theatre for such a production, the energy from the cast reaches right to the back rows and everyone feels involved. It seems only right for such a performance celebrating the joys of the queer community to be taking place right opposite Heaven nightclub!

Set in the chilly Scottish village of ‘Lickmanochers’ with the rival village of ‘Suckmacock’ a mere few kilometres away, we meet a dysfunctional wee family. Flora, the mother at the helm of the chaos expertly executed by Matthew Baldwin, who was met with thunderous applause from the first sighting, is clearly a seasoned pro. Baldwin gives a confident and impressive performance with improvisation and ad-libbing looking as easy as anything.

Laura Ann Mead and Matt Kennedy shine in their roles as siblings Bonnie and Bertie, both characters struggling to find their place in the world or where life should take them next. Mead shows very impressive versatility with her characterisation, outrageously bold and entertaining. Kennedy is a ray of sunshine as Bertie, gentle and hilarious with an angelic singing voice.

The entire cast vocally is exceptional but the songs are fleeting and more musical numbers would enrich the production a little more. Keanu Adolphus Johnson was painfully funny as the Beast, vocally very adaptable with rich tones and comedic timing that landed perfectly.

With Bertie and the Beast not meeting until Act 2, if you’re looking for your fix from this pantomime in the hilarity that ensues between them, you may be disappointed. Their rapport with each other is hilarious and infectious and more moments could be found here. I feel the audience wanted more from their relationship but this takes nothing away from the enjoyment this production brings.

The creative aspects of this production are magnificent. David Shield’s set design in particular was playful and bright with such detail, flamboyant and brash but in the best way possible. Paired with costume design from Robert Draper, it was a joyous display of colours, sequins, glitter and everything in between but with just the right amount of edge to give it that bold panto feel.

If you’re in need of an achingly funny, festive and of course adult evening in London this Christmas, look no further than this production. With never ending comedic gags and a cast on the top of their game, I left with an appreciation for the happiness and light pantomimes bring to us and a smile that won’t leave me anytime soon.

Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story plays at Charing Cross Theatre until 11th January 2026.

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★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Steve Gregson