Talented Charlie Bowyer, from Sandwich, says he is enjoying every minute of playing Beast in Coventry’s seasonal favourite pantomime Beauty and the Beast.

The curtains went up for Charlie and his co-star Jessica Niles, as Beauty, on Wednesday, November 26.

The 21-year-old said: “The pantomime at the Belgrade Theatre is exceptional. It has one of the kindest and most accommodating staff and crew I’ve met.

“I’ve settled in very easily and am enjoying every minute of it with the cast.”

This is the first leading role for the musical theatre graduate since he left Performance Preparation Academy in Guildford in June.

More than 36,000 people had already snapped up tickets to see him and others in the show before the end of November.

He said: “I knew playing The Beast would be a challenge as I’m only 21 and the part is usually played by a more experienced actor, who is older.

“During rehearsals, my biggest challenge was finding The Beast’s voice without ruining my own. I have found a happy medium where I won’t harm myself and still sound pretty terrifying!”

Charlie, who went to St Mary’s Primary School, in Deal, and St Edmund’s Catholic School in Dover, has been singing since he was three.

It was his part in We Will Rock You at secondary school that confirmed a career in performing arts was for him. His parents, Sharon and Charles, who still live in Sandwich, have continued to support their son with his dream of making it on stage, have already been along to watch him in the panto and will be returning again.

Charlie said: “I have caravans of family coming every weekend to see me at least once. I cannot wait to perform for them.

“I have Christmas day off as expected, so my parents are coming to watch the panto again on Christmas Eve and the next day we will have a big Christmas meal out in Coventry.”

Charlie told KentOnline he already has a potential new role in the pipeline for next year, which he can not yet announce.

He said: “Apart from that I’ll be moving back to Guildford in January and will go on to audition for more jobs. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”