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Beauty and the Beast Rocks the New Wolsey’s Twenty-Five Year Panto Celebration

  • Writer: The Suffolk Pod Show
    The Suffolk Pod Show
  • Nov 28
  • 2 min read

Trailer credit: Warehouse Digital

This year marks a major milestone for the New Wolsey Theatre. For twenty-five years, its Rock ’n’ Roll Panto has been a defining highlight for Ipswich and the Suffolk festive season. The mix of actor musicianship, high energy live music, sharp comedy and imaginative storytelling has become inseparable from the theatre’s identity.


Three female singers, dressed in panto attire, stand on a blue and green lit stage, in a line singing into microphones
Beauty and the Beast, Rock n Roll Panto, New Wolsey Theatre. Photo Credit: Will Green Photography

The cast deliver outstanding and memorable performances.

The dame is smiling at the audience playing an accordian, She is dressed in leopard skin fur and standing on a colourfully lit stage
Beauty and the Beast, Rock n Roll Panto, New Wolsey Theatre. Photo Credit: Will Green Photography

Max Gallagher returns to the New Wolsey with a superb portrayal of the Dame, Mrs Ringer. He gives everything you want from a classic dame, while adding in his own razor-sharp timing, irresistible sense of humour and an extraordinary command of the audience. You can’t take your eyes off him! Speaking after the opening night show, Max talked to us about the joy of returning to the Ipswich stage and the practical challenge of performing in seriously high platform boots, especially in a scene that requires him to climb onto a bar.


two images, The one on the left is of a woman dressed in green leather and fur posing on a staircase as the baddie. She is lit in green light. The image on the right is a photo of The Beast singing into a mic and playing guitar. He has one arm raised and is singing intently and emotionally with his eyes closed
Beauty and the Beast, Rock n Roll Panto, New Wolsey Theatre. Photo Credit: Will Green Photography

Neil Urquhart brings incredible depth and emotional weight to the role of the Beast. His performance is utterly compelling. Having previously played Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk in 2021, he spoke about how meaningful it felt to return to the theatre after spending time focusing on writing.  


Signe Larsson, who appeared in both Sleeping Beauty and Footloose on the New Wolsey stage, is terrifyingly brilliant as the baddie! Her voice rocks the auditorium.


two figures on the stage, they are wearing costumds of grey that make them look like they are made of stone - one dressed as a stone column statue, the other as a stone fountain
Two women standing back to back singing into hand held mics. One is dressed as The Pigeon, the other a young women wearing bunches and a cloth outfit
two photos side by side, On the left is a man with a beard and a baseball cap signing and playing guitar. He is wearing an Ipswich Football shirt and scarf. The photo on the right is of an actor dressed up as older man, with tweeds and a hat. They are bending over and playing a block instrument
Beauty and the Beast, Rock n Roll Panto, New Wolsey Theatre. Photo Credit: Will Green Photography

The entire cast are fantastic. They are a team of absolute awesomeness!


This year’s panto is directed by Jake Smith, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Eastern Angles, who has created a masterpiece, supported by Vikki Stone’s hilarious script.


After the opening night performance, the Suffolk Pod Show spoke with Douglas Rintoul, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the New Wolsey Theatre, about the musical direction. Douglas highlighted the boldness of this year’s score and its willingness to take creative risks, including the use of a Radiohead track, which very nearly brought the house down.


Congratulations also to the creative team. The stunning set and costumes, along with the movement, lighting and sound, are all outstanding.


Beauty and the Beast is the perfect way to celebrate your festive season. This production will delight audiences of all ages and we recommend it wholeheartedly. Do not miss it!


Running until Saturday 17 January 2026. Book here: Beauty and the Beast – New Wolsey Theatre

 
 
 

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