He’s Behind You! have announced the full cast for this year’s adult panto Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story, playing at London’s Charing Cross Theatre from 21 November 2025 to 11 January 2026.
Following their hit shows Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick! and Jack and the Beanstalk: What a Whopper!, the award-winning company return with a gloriously ridiculous and exuberantly gay take on a much-loved fairytale — packed with outrageous humour, original songs, and a lot of sexual awakenings.
Set in the frostbitten Scottish village of Lickmanochers, this “furry-tale” follows Bertie as he becomes the prisoner of a beastly lord whose moody temperament, unruly body hair and castle in desperate need of a makeover can’t hide a surprisingly romantic heart.
Beauty and the Beast features
The production stars Matt Kennedy (Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You, BBC’s River City) as the innocent Bertie, whose dreams of romance and adventure go awry when he encounters an aristocratic beast in a frostbitten Scottish castle.
Joining him are Keanu Adolphus Johnson (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Backstage Billy) as the mysterious and moody Beast, and Laura Anna-Mead (Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em, Barn Theatre) as Bertie’s frustrated sister.
Returning to the Charing Cross stage are panto favourites Matthew Baldwin (Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick!) as Bertie’s overbearing mother and Chris Lane (Ghosted: Another F**ing Christmas Carol*, Emmerdale) as the wicked Cornelius.
Completing the company are Dani Mirels (GIRLZ, Edinburgh Fringe), Ben Mabberley (Calamity Jane, Blood Brothers), Owen Arkrow (White Rose: The Musical, Marylebone Theatre), and Olivia-Grace Weaver.
Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story is written by Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper, directed by Andrew Beckett, with music by Bradfield and choreography by Carole Todd. The creative team also includes Aaron Clingham (Musical Director/Orchestrator), David Shields (Set Design), Robert Draper (Costume Design), Andrew Johnson (Sound Design), and Matt Hockley (Lighting Design). The show is produced by Oli Sones for He’s Behind You!, with casting by Harry Blumenau.
Director and He’s Behind You! co-founder Andrew Beckett said: “I’m so excited that we’re about to start making mayhem with this brilliant company. Matthew and Chris are two of the funniest, most distinctive performers around, and anyone who saw last year’s show will know how much heart and silliness Keanu and Laura bring to our brand of adult panto. It’s going to be a dream — a chaotic, hysterical, magical dream.”
The company, winners of a Special Recognition Award at the 2025 UK Pantomime Awards, continue to push the boundaries of festive theatre with their signature blend of bawdy humour, queer energy and heartwarming storytelling.
Book tickets to Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story at Charing Cross Theatre, London
Venue: Charing Cross Theatre, Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NL
Dates: 21 November 2025 – 11 January 2026
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