Sprinkling stardust

FORTH CHILDREN’S Theatre (FCT) is back in rehearsals and spreading magic over a cast full of fairytale characters in their brand new, musical production of Beauty and The Beast – The Panto.

Written and produced by Lewis C Baird and choreographed by Taylor Doig - the talented team who made FCT’s last production of Oliver! a massive success. They will be joined by vocal coach Erin Munro.

The theatre was established in 1979 to encourage interest and active participation in theatre and drama among young people. They normally stage two shows a year, Easter and Fringe shows, and regularly play to sell out houses.

FCT have won a host of Capital Awards and ENDAs. Like many theatre companies, they had to close their doors during

Covid- 19 so they have decided to make the next 12 months a bumper year, starting with the panto (closely followed by Cole Porter’s Anything Goes in February).

For their panto, they have taken up residence in the new community hub within the old Debenhams store at Ocean Terminal. They have a team of magicians creating a set as far removed from a department store as humanly possible.

By December, the hub will be transformed in to a Scottish castle fit for Belle and of course the beast.

This traditional family pantomime follows Belle as she travels in to the unknown to save her father, who has been held captive by a hideous beast in the mysterious Dalkeith Castle. Is the beast as evil as he appears? Oh aye he is …oh no he’s no! You will have to decide for yourselves.

This promises to be a fun-filled evening out full of song, dance and lots and lots of festive laughs.

Date: 8-10 December 2022 • Time: 7:30pm with an additional matinee on Saturday 10 December at 2:30pm • Location: The Wee Hub Old Debenhams, Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive, Leith, EH6 6JJ