Growled returns to the RVT with a fresh look at Beauty and the Beast. It picks up after the fairy tale ends and asks what comes next when the romance settles into daily life. The show blends panto humour with queer cabaret spirit, fast songs, audience play, and a warm sense of chaos that suits the venue. It feels familiar yet surprising, and it carries the energy that people expect from RVT’s winter season.

Tim McArthur shapes this world with real clarity. His work in Eurovision Your Decision earned him a strong following, and his past projects across stage and cabaret show how well he understands this audience. That experience guides every part of the evening. He controls the pace, keeps the jokes tight, and brings a clear sense of play to each scene. The mix of live action and filmed moments feels natural under his direction.

Lucy Penrose carries the heart of the story. Her Belle feels bold and curious, and she sings with confidence. Her filmed scenes drew loud reactions from the room, and her ease onstage shows a performer who enjoys the role. Many people online have praised her voice, and you can hear why. She gives the show a steady centre.

Ada Campe delivers some of the funniest moments of the night. Her timing is sharp, and her choices create laughs with almost no effort. She gives The Inventorer a strange charm that fits the tone of the panto. Every look, pause, and shift in voice lands with impact. The crowd waited for her next line.

The full cast help the story move with real unity. Matthew Ferry brings warmth to the Prince. Robert McNeilly earns steady laughs as Mrs Spout. Katherine Leyva and Jo Wickham keep the pace tight and support each scene with clear intention. Annemarie Lewis Thomas sits among the audience at the keyboard and holds the musical thread with calm focus. You feel a team who trust each other.

The only thing that held the night back was the sound. The speakers sat too low for a fast panto, and many lines fell under the crowd. The noise from the gents made it worse. The dryers cut through several scenes and broke the flow again and again. It became hard to stay inside the story when the venue kept interrupting it. The cast worked through it, yet the space did not support them.

Still, the closeness between cast and audience gave the night its spark. The performers speak to you as if you belong inside the story, and the room answers with warmth. That sense of shared play is what RVT panto nights are known for, and Growled stays true to that spirit.

Tim McArthur’s steady vision, Lucy Penrose’s bold presence, and Ada Campe’s quick wit shape a lively night filled with charm and humour. Even with the sound issues, Growled offers a joyful and energetic winter treat at one of London’s most loved queer venues.

Photos by @lexmelony