Oh yes she is! Lily James to star in new Beauty And The Beast pantomime

Virgin Radio

9 Dec 2021, 15:38

There’s nothing more christmassy than a panto - and the Comic Relief team are back with another star-studded cast for their new production. 

Lily will portray Beauty, while West End actor Chris Oliver will take on the role of Beast in the classic tale of the unlikely romance between the beloved characters. 

The new production will follow last year’s celeb-filled performance of Cinderella, which featured Rege-Jean Page, Olivia Colman, Helena Bonham Carter, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Daniel Craig, and raised nearly £900,000.

Man Like Mobeen’s Guz Khan, who played Buttons last year, will return to the panto scene as Bonzo, and will be joined by Sian Gibson as Beauty’s mother, and Susan Wokoma as Amelie.

Speaking about the production, Sian said: “I thought my Panto career was behind me, but oh no it’s not! I’m so thrilled to be taking part in this years’ Comic Relief Pantomime for BBC Two, Beauty And The Beast. 

“Just thrilled I’ve not been asked to play the beast actually. It's going to be lots of Christmassy fun and a great chance to raise crucial funds for such a wonderful charity.”

Friday Night Dinner co-stars Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal will reunite for the occasion as Remy and Mr Bell. 

Tom explained: "The chance to act alongside Simon Bird is an opportunity I cannot turn down, seemingly. 

“Beauty and the Beast the Comic Relief Pantomime will be the best thing to happen to Zoom since the Handforth Parish Council."

The big names don’t stop there, with guest stars expected to pop up throughout the show, including Miranda Hart, Lenny Henry and Michael Sheen.

Meanwhile, Richard Curtis, Comic Relief co-founder, said: “I don’t know that we’ve ever done anything for Comic Relief which was more full of a sense of fame and fun. 

“Last year the show made nearly a million pounds, and I’m really hoping that Beauty and the Beast will also raise a beautiful amount of cash for all our brilliant projects at a pretty beastly time.”

Beauty And The Beast - A Pantomime for Comic Relief will air on Sunday 19th December at 9pm on BBC Two.