Pantomime (or Panto for short) is a quintessential traditional British musical family entertainment staged at Christmas time. It includes songs, gags, slapstick comedy and dancing, employs gender-crossing actors, and combines topical very low-brow humor with a story loosely based on a well-known fairy tale, and in which audiences are expected to sing along with certain parts of the music and shout out phrases to the performers.
It has survived so many cultural upheavals over the decades and although it is a decidedly old-fashioned form of very camp entertainment, it is still extremely popular in many parts of the country today. So much so that the current production of a unmistakably raunchy adult panto by the legendary gay theatre Above the Stag Theatre has been getting rave reviews and the whole run is completely sold out.
Beauty on The Piste is extremely loosely based on the classic ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ but in this case Belle is a very promiscuous twink called Beau, who spends his time with his head in butts instead of books who he vows to ‘widen my horizon like I’ve widened my hole.’
All usual ‘Beauty and the Beast’ trimmings are slightly twisted: the wilting rose in a bell jar is replaced by a limp penis-flytrap plant; Louis the candlestick morphs between household objects, from loo-brush to teapot, and naturally in this version the fairy who puts the curse on the Beast wears a sequined cocktail dress The villain of the piece is Sebastian, a property magnate keen to develop Swiss ski resort Les De Nice into something altogether swankier. Far too handsome to hate, his headgear changes from pink Wayfarer, to mustard macramé headband to bright bobble hat – effectively the only indication of the passing of time.
It is a proper panto for adults, stuffed with delightful silliness, filthy jokes, glorious songs, heart-warming romance, and a plot that just about resembles a much-loved tale as old as time. It’s what a good old gay Christmas is all about.
Beauty At The Piste runs until 1/14/17 . TOTALLY SOLD OUT, but email them any morning for returns for that day.
Above The Stag,
17 Miles Street
London, SW8 1RZ
http://www.abovethestag.com/contact/
