The Lark Panto Review – Beauty and The Beast 2023

TheLark_BeautyAndTheBeast2023

We were invited along to The Lark Balbriggan this weekend to see their Christmas Panto – Beauty and the Beast. Presented by the Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) and Sean Gilligan Performing Arts, Beauty & The Beast 2023 is a wonderful collaboration of industry talent and performers.

The Lark is a new entertainment venue in Balbriggan, North Dublin and offers guests all modern conveniences including a bar, gift shop and spacious tiered seating. It’s a purpose built concert hall designed by award winning architects SF4.

An all star cast deliver engaging performances, with the lead played by Jake Carter (Winner Season 2, Dancing with the Stars) and Belle, played by Ireland’s West End star, Katie Rose Weir. Solid performances by both leads, complimented by some really excellent vocals. It’s not a huge cast but those on stage certainly keep the tempo going.

There’s plenty of gags and one liners, delivered with great comic timing by all, especially ‘Glammy’ played by David Gilna who was “turbo whopper deadly” had this writer giggling on many occasions! ‘Le Poo’, played by Corinna O’Brien, is also a big favourite with the audience.

Balbriggan has been in the news recently with several articles about investment and regeneration happening in the town. This is great news for locals and visitors alike. The Lark theatre is new and conveniently located near the Bracken Court Hotel. With a packed entertainment calendar, it is sure to bring many new visitors and overnight business to the town.

This Panto is a great choice for the family and is priced similar if not better to the other top shows this season. Kids will know this story well and there’s lots going on to keep them engaged all the way through. Mums and Dads can also enjoy lots of trending gags, foot stomping music and ‘tongue n cheek’ references to well known politicians and media names! 

The stage is spacious and open, providing excellent viewing and the acoustics are some of the finest of any concert hall in Ireland. Costumes are right up there with the best of them and the ‘Beast’ is audience friendly and very suitable for younger viewers. Watch out for a ‘lofty’ performance on screen by Miss Ireland 2021, Pamela Uba, who plays ‘The Enchantress of Good’ and clap along with candle character ‘Lit’ (Adam Doherty) as he does his best to steer his Master and Belle together. Gaston, played by Ruairi Nicholl, was a stand out performance, Katie Weir vocals are superb and Jake Carter treats the audience to some really cool instrument playing.

“Great fun, thoroughly entertaining”

Beauty & The Beast at the Lark Balbriggan is great fun and thoroughly entertaining! 

This is a live on stage show and runs from Dec 5th to Dec 30th 2023. Tickets from €28 are on sale now at https://thelark.ie/

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