Beauty and the Beast

Everyman Palace, Cork

If you want to see renowned soprano Mary Hegarty suspended over a line of dancing cutlery then don't miss this version of Beauty and the Beast. Even if that vision isn't top of your wish-list, give yourself and your loved ones a treat – go and see it. As a production company, Cada always manages to combine innovation and excitement with a certain amount of pantomimic dross, and have done so here again, but the innovation and excitement score so highly that the dross is tolerable. A huge cast compels this reviewer to warn adult patrons that the programme promises no fewer than 98 "fairies of the castle", but this too is more imagination than reality as only a selection-box assortment of elfin creatures materialises – some of them probably no more than a few weeks out of Pampers. But "merciful hour!", as Jim Mulcahy's verbally stricken Dame Dolly keeps repeating with accumulating loss of impact, they are having a terrific time, just like everyone else involved. Musical director Eamon Nash has assembled a good band, there is a succession of attractive sets designed by Davy Dummigan, the lead actors work hard and it's no wonder that a team of Patricia Mahon, Anne Burton and Lisa Zagone is credited with the array of costumes.

The dross is the meandering script, too many ill-defined characters, dancing which is energetic rather than graceful, and director Catherine Mahon Buckley's tendency to overcrowd the stage. Magic is a delicate skill, but here at least a flying soprano is a wonderful substitute.

runs until January 8th