Over the Christmas period, Kitty Harris will be playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Friday 5th December until Sunday 4th January, and will work alongside a cast including Marc Baylis as Hugo Pompidou, Steve Royle as Louis La Plonk and Betty Legs Diamond as Polly La Plonk. Kitty performed at Blackpool Grand Theatre last year in their pantomime Cinderella, and her father Keith Harris performed their many times and set the record for selling the most seats during a five-month summer season. Further stage credits for Kitty include playing Standby Ali in Burlesque the Musical at Manchester Opera House, Elaine in Calendar Girls at The Mill at Sonning, and she made her tour debut as Young Heather in Take That’s Greatest Days. This year, Kitty performed the National Anthem at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham at the Six Nations Championship for the game between England and Scotland, and she was previously a contestant on Little Mix: The Search, and she has over one million followers on TikTok. We talked to Kitty about playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast at Blackpool Grand Theatre this Christmas, her time as Standby Ali in the world premiere of Burlesque the Musical and making her tour debut in Take That’s Greatest Days as Young Heather.

You are starring as Belle in Beauty and the Beast at Blackpool Grand Theatre later this year, how are you preparing for the run?

I’m rewatching the film, learning my lines, and getting into Belle’s mindset while putting my own spin on things! Mostly I’m just really excited to step into such an iconic role and share it with audiences in Blackpool.

What can audiences expect from your portrayal of Belle?

I want to bring out Belle’s strength, feistiness, and kindness – she’s curious, brave, and always sees the good in others, and I hope audiences feel that in my performance.

The cast this year includes Marc Baylis as Hugo Pompidou, Steve Royle as Louis La Plonk and Betty Legs Diamond as Polly La Plonk, how was it meeting them for the first time and have you worked with any of them previously?

It was incredible to meet everyone. Everyone is so lovely and true pros! I’ve worked with Steve and Betty before, which was such a great experience! I learned loads from them both. I can already tell this season’s going to be amazing.

Having starred as Cinderella in Grand Theatre’s pantomime last year, how different do you think both characters will be to play and how does it feel to be returning for a second year?

I’m so honoured to be back at the Grand Theatre this Christmas, it’s so magical. Playing Cinderella last year was such a joy, I’d say Belle is quite different to play; she’s a bit more curious and independent, so I’m really excited to explore that side of her.

The Blackpool Grand Theatre is a special venue to you, as your father (Keith Harris) performed at the theatre many times, and set the record for selling the most seats during a five-month summer season in 1983; what is it like performing at the Grand Theatre and continuing his legacy?

It means so much to perform at the Grand, knowing my dad made so many memories here. It’s so special to feel that connection and to be continuing his legacy on the same stage.

What do you enjoy most about performing in pantomimes and seeing the family audience getting involved?

I love how pantomime brings everyone together – seeing kids and families getting involved and having fun is the best feeling!

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Beauty and the Beast and what are you looking forward to for performing in pantomime over Christmas 2025?

Beauty and the Beast is such a magical story, and this production is full of laughter, music, and heart – perfect for all ages. I’m really looking forward to spending Christmas performing again; there’s nothing quite like the excitement and joy of pantomime at that time of year.

In the world premiere of Burlesque the Musical at Manchester Opera House, you were Standby Ali, how was it performing as Ali and what do you remember from your first show as the character?

Well, Ali has been a dream role of mine for years! I’ve always loved the movie and knew one day I’d play her! It was such an incredible experience – Ali is such a powerful, dynamic role, and stepping into her shoes was amazing. I’ll never forget the buzz of that first show; the audience energy was electric.

Was there anything that drew you to Burlesque the Musical and how was it being part of the world premiere production?

As I said before, it’s one of my favourite movies of all time. And the music is just incredible – I actually perform the song Good Girl in my solo shows! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it being advertised – I said to myself I am going to be in this show and I was!!

Can you tell us about your time playing Elaine in Calendar Girls at The Mill at Sonning?

It was lovely performing at The Mill at Sonning – such a beautiful theatre. I met some wonderful women in the cast who I’ve stayed close with.

What was Young Heather like to play in the UK & Ireland Tour of the Take That musical Greatest Days and how was it telling the story?

Playing Young Heather was such a joy – she was so like me as a person it felt easy! She’s full of heart, sass, comedy and energy, and telling that story alongside such a talented cast was special.

How did you find the experience touring with a musical for the first time and what are some of your stand-out highlights from being in the cast?

It was honestly the best thing I have ever done. I was about to give up theatre and start a 9 to 5 job selling cars. I’m glad I took the job because it helped me fall back in love with theatre – and I have no idea about cars! Touring was amazing, though, of course, sometimes hard as you travel a lot! The cast made it special for me. Every single one of them, I love to bits! We’d be laughing every day. There were too many stand-out moments! So far, my favourite job!

Earlier this year, you performed the National Anthem live at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham at the Six Nations Championship, as England took on Scotland for the Calcutta Cup, how was this?

Nerve-racking!! But incredible. I felt so honoured to perform the National Anthem – it’s been on my bucket list for a while, so I was buzzing when I got the call! However, I had to change my trousers right before I went onto sing! Literally I had two minutes! I was wearing snake print trouser (thinking I was being trendy), however, it wasn’t quite right for the moment. So an interviewer and I swapped trousers! So I was singing in her trousers, and she was interviewing in my snake prints! We laughed about it and I’m so glad I get to now share this memory with everyone!

We understand you were a contestant on Little Mix: The Search, what was it like auditioning for the BBC talent show?

Very hard! When I was on the live show, they obviously act like that’s your first audition, however, I probably did about 10 auditions before that! Sending videos of me singing, then performing in front of directors etc and then we got to do a Little Mix dance workshop with their choreographer Claudimar Neto! Which was incredible! But again, it was a great experience, I was able to meet lots of incredible vocal coaches during this time!

How did you get into performing and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?

I’ve loved performing for as long as I can remember! Watching my dad from a young age and always being in the theatre made it feel exciting and fun, and it naturally became something I wanted to do professionally. I could never imagine myself doing anything else! It’s in my blood!

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

Favourite shows I’ve seen –

• BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL
• Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
• Mean Girls

Shows I need to see –

• The Book of Mormon 
• The Phantom of the Opera 
• Chicago (though I have been in this)

You have over one million followers on TikTok, what do you enjoy about filming for the platform and how is it seeing the response to your content?

I just love getting to be myself! My TikTok is just a representation of who I am! I love comedy and just love to make people smile. I get lots of messages from people saying that my videos have helped them. If they were having a bad day at school or work, they say that my videos have made them feel happy again. For me, that’s what it’s about, letting people escape for a moment and experience a bit of joy, even if it’s only for a minute.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to go out with my friends, love going for a coffee (any cute coffee shop), watching series (currently watching RuPaul’s Drag Race UK & Below Deck). I enjoy the gym and attending dance classes! I also love a shopping trip!

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