He’s Behind You! will present their unique mix of outrageous humour, queer-infused fun, and original music in a fairytale classic: Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story. This adult-only gay pantomime explores the theme of awakening sexual desires through an enemies-to-lovers narrative, following the success of previous productions like “Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick!” and “Jack and the Beanstalk: What a Whopper!”.
Dialling up the panto flamboyance for another unmissable festive season
Set in the frostbitten Scottish village of Lickmanochers, the story follows innocent Bertie, a devoted son to his overbearing mother. He is determined to wait for Mr. Right, but finds himself imprisoned by a decidedly wrong, aristocratic beast. Despite 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 guests at this epically endearing, smartly stupid, and audaciously adult gay pantomime rom-com.
The role of dame is taken by the incredible and totally fabulous Matthew Baldwin who stared as dame in Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick; Jack and the Beanstalk: What A Whopper!.
He’s Behind You! has also announced the return of Chris Lane, following his popular appearances with the team in recent pantomimes and his “dazzling performance” (Whatsonstage) in Ghosted: Another F***ing Christmas Carol at The Other Palace Studio.
With original songs, big laughs, spectacular designs and plenty of mischief, Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story promises a joyfully festive escape from reality.
Writer Jon Bradfield told QX, ¨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 for this festive tale will be announced soon.
Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story runs from Friday 21 November 2025 to Sunday 11 January 2026 at Charing Cross Theatre, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6N, United Kingdom.
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 dafted”
★★★★ 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!
