When I heard Pizza Express was hosting a special Christmas event with a snippet of the Beauty and the Beast pantomime from the Carriageworks Theatre, I knew it was a must.
Theatre? Food? A live performance for my children? Perfect. Though I did wonder how they were going to pull this off in the middle of a restaurant. Yet they did – and they did it brilliantly.
The Italian eatery was dressed to the nines for Christmances, including a tree adorned with dough balls—because what says “festive” like edible decorations? My son, under the weather and in desperate need of comfort, ordered the macaroni cheese. It was laden with garlic, though he was blissfully unaware, which was a win for me. He devoured it.
Feeling unreasonably festive myself (as I tend to be until Christmas dinner, when I remember I hate Christmas), I ordered the Festive Feast pizza. This beauty came loaded with turkey, cranberry sauce, spinach and a mountain of cheese. Now, I’m a pepperoni loyalist—if it doesn’t have spicy, round slices of pork, is it even pizza?—but this was a game-changer. Add to that the dough balls in blankets wrapped in pancetta with a mustard dip, and I was officially on board the Christmas Express.
Then came the panto.
The witch burst into the restaurant with such a presence that even the adults looked ready to bolt. My son was horrified—in the best way—and was soon laughing, clapping, and, naturally, shouting out commands to the cast like a true panto connoisseur. Gaston flexed his muscles (to my son’s delight), Belle brought some princess-level grace, and the whole experience was a theatrical fever dream in the best possible way.
Our evening was made even more magical by Barry, the gentleman sitting next to us. Barry, it turns out, lives across the street and makes weekly pilgrimages to Pizza Express. Once a globetrotter who lived in Texas and Japan, he’s now retired but still full of stories—and still rocking a sparkle in his eye that could give Gaston’s biceps a run for their money. My son, ever the social butterfly, was fast friends with Barry, and their playful conversation was one of those unexpected joys that make Christmas special.
For me, this is the magic of the season. It’s not the presents, the lights, or even the turkey-cranberry combo on my pizza. It’s moments like this—a theatre-loving witch terrorizing diners, a child finding joy in macaroni cheese, and a stranger sharing tales of a life well-lived over a slice of pizza.
Pizza Express didn’t just serve dinner this night; they served up Christmas spirit with a side of mustard dip. And for that, I applaud them.
Customers can also order from PizzaExpress’ new Festive Set Menu, with two courses (starter & main) from just £19.95, or three courses from just £25.95 – what’s not to love!
To book to dine-in, please visit: https://www.pizzaexpress.com/book/book-a-table-uk
Main image courtesy of Paul Holman Associates Beauty and The Beast. Carriageworks Theatre.
