The Belgrade announces casting for Beauty and the Beast

The Belgrade Theatre has announced casting for this year 's panto - Beauty and the Beast.

The pantomime is due to run from Wednesday 24 November to Saturday 8 January, written by Iain Lauchlan, starring as Dame Dolly Mixture accompanied by Craig Hollingsworth playing the role of the Dame 's comedic sidekick, Silly Billy.

Beauty and the Beast marks Craig Hollingsworth 's tenth anniversary with the Belgrade 's panto, and Iain Lauchlan 's 22nd run as Coventry 's favourite panto Dame.

Ruby Eva joins the cast as the titular Beauty, with Sion Lloyd taking on the role of the Beast.

Returning from the Belgrade 's last live panto, 2019 's Puss in Boots, are Peter Watts, Miriam Grace Edwards and David Gilbrook. Peter Watts returns to Coventry this Christmas as the evil villain, Maurice, and Miriam Grace Edwards accompanies him as Maurice 's adoring sidesick, Grub. David Gilbrook stars as Beauty 's father, Harold.

Katy Anna Southgate, another Belgrade panto alumn from 2018 's Sleeping Beauty, joins the cast as the magical Enchantress. Completing the cast are ensemble members Samuel Lake and Louie Wood.

Beauty and the Beast promises to be an entertaining show for all and is staged by Belgrade Production Services.

Iain Lauchlan said “I 'm absolutely thrilled that this year we 'll be having a live pantomime on the stage at the Belgrade! After a year without live panto, we can finally get together and experience the magic of theatre again. ”

With loads of adventure, feel-good cheer and lashings of Christmas sparkle, this long anticipated show promises to be an absolute Beauty!

Beauty and the Beast comes to the Belgrade Theatre 's Main Stage from Wednesday 24 November 2021 - Saturday 8 January 2022.

Tickets are available to book now by calling the box office on 024 7655 3055, or visiting www.belgrade.co.uk.

Pictured: Craig Hollingsworth and Iain Lauchlan, pictured by Mark Radford