One of the all time classics, Beauty and the Beast is being performed in the Gaiety Theatre from the 2nd of December 2007 to Sunday the 3rd of February, 2008. Find out more about this timeless pantomime favourite with details on the show, how to get to the Gaiety Theatre and Dublin hotels close to the venue.

The Gaiety Pantomime is arguably the most popular pantomime group in the country, and this winter season they are bringing you the Beauty and the Beast Pantomime. The story is centuries old having been originally written in 1740, although it’s probably best known with younger generations due to the successful 1991 Disney animation of the same name.

Featured in the cast of this pantomime version of the classic love story, is Polly Barrett (The Tempest, The Way of The World) as ‘Belle’, Brenda Brooks (Fair City, 42nd Street) playing the role of the ‘Evil Fairy’, Bill Murphy (Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin, Fair City) as the ‘Father’, Richie Hayes (The Wizard of Oz, She Stoops To Conquer) as ‘Jason’ as well as Michael Grennell (Fair City, The Full Monty, Cinderella) as ‘Archie’. There are performances at various times throughout the day, though the shows on at 11am tend to be just for school groups.

The Gaiety Theatre is located in Dublin city centre at the top of Grafton Street on South Kings Street, which is opposite Saint Stephens Green Shopping Centre. If you’re travelling on foot from the city centre, simply head south and cross over the river. Continue on past Trinity College and head up along Grafton Street. At the top of the street take a right and walk down South Kings Street with Saint Stephens Green Shopping Centre on your left - you’ll see the Gaiety Theatre on the right.

If you’re travelling into the city from the southside you can take the Green Luas Line that has a terminus at Saint Stephens Green.

And if you’re travelling into the city by car, the easiest route might be to head for the M50, then follow signs into the city and when you come to the Outer Ring Road travel to the south to meet the N11. At this junction turn towards the city centre and it will take you right by Saint Stephens Green, where you might be able to park in the Saint Stephen’s Green Car Park. This is by no means the most direct route but it’s definitely the easiest to follow.

The pantomime is running for the better part of two months, so you should have ample opportunity to gather up the family and venture to Dublin to grab a show. If you’re thinking of making a night of it, there are loads of Dublin hotels that are located close to the Gaiety Theatre.

Close to Grafton Street you’ll find the 5-star Westbury Hotel, while at Saint Stephens Green there’s the 4-star O’Callaghan Stephens Green Hotel.

Located just a few blocks to the south of this, on Harcourt Street, is the 3-Star Harcourt Hotel and Russell Court Hotel. There is also the Jackson Court Hotel that is a 2-Star hotel.

Or you could do a general check on Dublin hotels to find a location that suits you.

Give us a shout via the comment box below if you’ve any questions about where to stay for the Gaiety Pantomime or let us know about your favourite memories of the ‘panto season’ in Dublin!