Beauty and the Beast

There was plenty of excitement in the air as the audience took to their seats to see the annual children’s play performed by Codsall Dramatic Society.

Sam Kick and Ali Hughes, who also took on the roles of Imelda the Welsh Witch and Belle, directed the play, whilst Nathan Coley took on the role of Prince Philipe (the Beast)

Vanessa Tobin as Mrs Hobbs (the Housekeeper) was excellent especially in her comedy timing whilst dressed as a Tea Cozy. Patrick Bentley played Jeeves the Butler and Kelsey Dormen played Odette the Housemaid. This trio worked well together throughout the production.

Biagio Barluet as Don John (Belles suitor) played the role well and was accompanied by his sidekick Fidget played by Emma Parton.

Wendy Peterson as Aunt Lou played an excellent part, the scenes in which she bumped into the imaginary trees in the woods was particularly humorous and well timed to the sound effects.

Beauty and the Beast is a much darker story than some of the other Children’s plays that I have seen but the slapstick picnic scene, complete with foam pies, the chase and the comedic references in the songs helped to balance the production.

Wayne Jones as Belle’s friend Zeke brought energy to the production and soon had the audience completely under his control.

Kira Squire and Rachel Goodson played the Fromage Sisters of Brie and Blue.

The children watching were keen to get involved in the audience participation and the whole cast did well to keep everyone under control.

Costumes, hair and makeup were adequate but could have been elevated with a little more care and attention added to the detail.

It was lovely to see how the younger members of the audience were fully engaged by the production ensuring that the annual tradition is set to continue.

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