The award-winning panto troublemakers He’s Behind You! (Special Recognition Award, 2025’s UK Pantomime Awards) return to the Charing Cross Theatre with a gloriously ridiculous andexuberantly gay fairytale for adults. Bringing their signature blend of outrageous humour, queer-infused fun and original music to a much-loved classic,Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Storyexplores awakening sexual desires for an adult-only audience. This new enemies-to-lovers story follows the successes ofSleeping Beauty Takes A Prick! andJack and the Beanstalk: What a Whopper!, dialling up the panto flamboyance for another unmissable festive season.
Set in the frostbitten Scottish village of Lickmanochers, this furry-tale follows innocent Bertie – a devoted son to his overbearing mother determined to wait for Mr Right – as he finds himself the prisoner of a decidedly wrong, aristocratic beast. In spite of this uncouth brute’s moodiness, unruly body hair and castle in drastic need of a makeover, as the snow falls it’s not just the tension that rises. He’s Behind You! invites audiences to be their guest at this epically endearing, smartly stupid and audaciously adult panto romcom.
As its dame, this strictly adults-only show stars the sublime(The Guardian) and Wonderful(TimeOut) Matthew Baldwin (Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick; Jack and the Beanstalk: What A Whopper!). He’s Behind You! is also proud to announce the return of the excellent(TimeOut) Chris Lane following his popular appearances with the team in recent pantomimes and his dazzling performance (Whatsonstage) in Ghosted: Another F***ing Christmas Carol,The Other Palace Studio. With original songs, big laughs, dazzling designs and plenty of mischief, Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story promises a joyfully festive escape from reality.
Writer Jon Bradfield comments, You could say that the Beauty and the Beast story taps into ideas about body image, isolation and relationships in the gay community in today’s online world. But as we’re not Arts Council funded, we’re making a very silly and embarrassingly rude romantic comedy, and I cannot wait to make magic, laughter and spectacle again with my wonderful creative family, and to share some heartwarming winter laughter with our brilliant audience.
Long-time collaborators writers Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper, director Andrew Beckett, and producer Oli Sones put queer narratives at the heart of their productions. Built on over a decade of panto experience, their shows combine the nostalgia and charm of traditional pantomime with the sharper edges of adult comedy through high production values, wry commentary and theatrical flair.
He’s Behind You! invites audiences to leave the kids at home this Christmas for this sparkling new heart-stopper between Bertie and the Beast.
Further casting to this festive tale will be announced soon.
Previous praise for He’s Behind You!:
Outrageous. The hit of the festive season–★★★★★ The Stage,Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick
A fun festive treat. Terrifically entertaining. Delightfully daft –★★★★ Gay Times,Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick
Hilarious. Delivers on every front. You won’t find another show like it – ★★★★★ Curtain Call,Jack & The Beanstalk: What A Whopper!
Impeccably produced, flawlessly performed, and riotously funny, this is head and shoulders above anything of its kind –★★★★ Reviews Hub, Jack & The Beanstalk: What A Whopper!
Main Image: Courtesy of Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story