Outstanding Strachur pantomime once again dazzles audiences

Douglas McHugh as Lumiere and Peter Roy as Cogsworth made a hilarious duo, with spot-on comedic timing and great chemistry.

Jean McKechnie as Mrs Potts was the perfect nurturing presence, delivering a beautiful rendition of Beauty and the Beast among others.

Myles Gardner brought Maurice, Belle’s devoted father, to life with wit, charm and charisma.

Alexander Liddell as Chip charmed the audience with his adorable enthusiasm and confidence.

Sam Morgan as Babette and Matthieu Genex as Garderobe gave enough ‘ooh lala’ to have the audience spellbound as they got into character in the most entertaining way.

Penny McArthur as Froufrou, Jacqueline Payton, Katie Wilson, Caroline Sutherland and Gill MacLellan as the kitchen staff all gave fantastic performances, adding their own hilarity to the enchanted castle’s magic.

The Fluzettes (Sophie Peden, Pippa MacClellan, Sky Rose Wong-Walsh, Ailish Brown, June Wilson, and Caroline Clark) delivered sparkling and delightful performances that enhanced every castle scene.

Over in the village, the Bimbettes (played by the same talented group) were brilliantly comedic, swooning over Gaston with over-the-top hilarity.

Speaking of Gaston, Lucy Neish delivered an incredible performance, bringing just the right mix of charm, arrogance, and comedic timing giving everyone an extraordinary performance of somebody to love.

Meanwhile, Kirstie Dowse as LeFou was an absolute standout, bringing pantomime energy, physical comedy, and impeccable stage presence, making the audience laugh every time she stepped on stage.

The villagers, played by Sue Gardner, Aimi MacDonald, Iris Sainsbury, and Aaleah MacArthur, provided a lively and engaging backdrop to the unfolding story, making the village feel like a real, bustling community.

The Junior Youth Drama players, including Sarah Liddell, AJ Mathers, Dara Watson, India Moss, Daniel Griffin, Lily Sheriff, Ava Appleton, Sarah Halley, and Neve Crame, were flawless in their performances, demonstrating confidence beyond their years.

Every young performer nailed their role, impressing the audience with their enthusiasm and stage presence.

And of course, special recognition must go to John McGladdery and Arlene Stirling as the Bookseller and Tavern Owner, and to Katie Wilson Jr for her double role as the Baker and the Squirrel, the latter of which became an audience favourite after causing chaos in rehearsals!

A production of this scale would not have been possible without an incredible team working tirelessly behind the scenes:

Sound design by Gordon Neish, music engineering by Kenny Rennie and lighting design by Owen Walker created an outstanding magical experience.

Stage crew (Robbo Robertson, Gavin Brown, Mark Reid, Mary Payton, and Graham Ray) worked seamlessly to keep every scene transition flawless.

Set design and construction was led by the talented members of Strachur Men’s Shed, including Jim Black, Robbie Bullock, Patrick Gibb, Donald Cameron, and Murdo MacLeod.

Scenic artist Jules Cadie painted the most incredible backdrops and sets, bringing the world of Beauty and the Beast to life, with Lucy Neish adding her talents to painted props.

Costume design by Sam Morgan assisted by Matthieu Genex was nothing short of spectacular, with creations akin to professional companies.

Hair and makeup team (Matthieu, Kirstie Dowse, Alice McClellan, and Megan Dowse) ensured every character looked picture-perfect.

Prompt Lynn Rennie kept the production running smoothly.

Front of house team (Anna, Irene, Myra, Debbie, Alan, Mark, Arlene, and Caroline) provided a warm welcome to every audience member.

Chaperones and Youth Drama Team (Alison, Rachel, and the whole team) ensured the younger cast members were well-supported.

None of this would have been possible without the support of the Strachur Filling Station, the Strachur Memorial Hall Committee, and all the local groups who accommodated rehearsals.

Most of all, this production was a success thanks to the unwavering support of the wonderful community, whose enthusiasm and encouragement allow local theatre to thrive.

A special thank you went to the marvellous committee, led by Jean McKechnie as Committee Chair, whose dedication and hard work made this show a reality.

“And of course, our deepest gratitude goes to our amazing sponsors, Inverdell Ltd and Westlin Rail Ltd, as well as the generous community members who contributed their time, effort, and resources. Without you, this production would not have been possible,” said directors Sheena Dowse and Kirstie Dowse.

“With three packed performances, Beauty and the Beast was an outstanding success, proving once again that small communities can create big magic.

“From the extraordinary cast to the exceptional behind-the-scenes team, this production was a shining example of what community theatre is all about.

“Bravo to everyone involved, Strachur, take a bow!

“And if you were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the infamous rampaging squirrel, you witnessed a bit of unexpected theatre magic too,” they added.

Sheena Dowse