Beauty and The Beast

Northallerton Musical Theatre Company took us on a magical Disney journey with their latest show, the well-known and much-loved Beauty and the Beast, the Broadway Musical.

It was confided in me that there was some hesitation to the choice of show with doubts over whether the Society could produce such a huge Production on the Hambleton Forum stage. Well under the accomplished direction of Jordan Hamilton-Leighton and in safe hands of Musical Director Trevor Wilson those doubts were quickly erased.

Simplicity is the key word for the staging with colourful backcloths, a raised Castle platform and minimal blocks and props in use allowing the focus to remain on the cast and their individual portrayals of such famous characters. The production team made full use of the lighting available combining well with gauzes to swiftly move through scenes, the lighting sequence for the final transformation from Beast to Prince was a standout moment of a slick technical staging.

It is always tricky taking on such a well-known show, people expect exact replicas of characters they know so well and the costume team did a sterling job to create the visual matches. The rest was down to the cast, and they certainly did not disappoint.

I often comment on all ensemble, minor roles etc in a build up to the title roles however on this occasion I can’t possibly begin this review without singing the praises of Sophie McGlynn playing Belle. This is one of the most accomplished performances I have ever seen in an amateur production. Her vocals were sublime (“A Change In Me” blew me away), lines delivered with great pace and punch, she showed us a tenderness and an edge when required but mostly she gave us the grace and elegance we have come to expect with any Disney Princess. Her interactions with the other cast members were lovely to watch, especially opposite Richard Hamilton-Leighton in the role of Beast. They had a connection from the off, from feisty confrontations to a slow building love interest – it just seemed so believable. The number “Something There” and the dance connection in “Beauty and the Beast” clearly highlighting this building relationship.

Richard showed us what a great lead and vocalist he is, someone who clearly understands the complexity of the music of Alan Menken. Taking each musical line, breaking it down and delivering it with great impact – every song drew the audience in – especially in “If I can’t love her” – a very tricky number but sung with such passion and composure. Richard didn’t deliver us the typical roaring and raging beast yet one struggling with his own imperfections and it was a very clever interpretation of the role.

Beauty and the Beast has so many brilliant characters in the show and this production was wonderfully cast with each actor bringing these roles to life.

Phil Bargewell played Lumiere, one of my favourite characters and he delivered the role with a charming, witty and sprightly French swagger. The facial expressions were genius, every movement across the stage had a purpose and his characterisation was perfect. His linkups with Will Jackson as Cogsworth were a joy to watch, the contrasts between the two characters were fantastic, Phil’s hyperactive energy battling against Will’s pompous charm in every scene. Will absolutely owned the stage with a stage presence almost as grand as Clock he adorned.

Also mixing brilliantly into the Castle’s spellbound characters were 3 fabulous female actresses. Hannah Hamilton was dazzling as the flirty Babette, her teasing of Lumiere was brilliant and she lit the stage up on every entrance. Janet Miles as Madame De La Grand Bouche was a delight, a delicious over the top delivery of lines and a sublime voice giving us notes that could shatter the glass housing the famous rose.

Emma Browne gave us a charming, soft and caring Mrs Potts. Splendidly scatty at times yet giving us lovely warmth in her line delivery to match her character. She linked up well with Chip, played by Seth Wilson on the Saturday evening performance and also matched her acting skills with a lovely tone to her voice in the title song, Beauty and The Beast.

As with all Disney classics we must have a baddy and in Joseph Arnott as Gaston we were treated to a cocky, overly masculine and arrogant performance. He strutted around the stage with a curled lip, flex in his biceps and some of the most outrageous fascial expressions of the night. His teaming up with Brodey Laundon as Lefou was excellent, bouncing off each other like a Laurel and Hardy sketch with Brodey giving us a fantastic portrayal of this character. The two of them found great joy in bullying Belle’s father Maurice, played with great charm by James Cornick.

What really made this production come to life was the great ensemble, each of them developing their own characters and creating a true village feel. All these members were heavily involved throughout, whether as dancing wolves, parading cutlery, possessed mob members or drunken fools – every single member kept in character the whole show. I particularly enjoyed the 4 ladies playing Les Fille de la Ville – the energy in the swooning and constant chasing of Gaston was hysterical with all 4; Heidi, Kimmi, Adele and Becky scene stealing to perfection.

Disney has huge numbers in its shows and through the choreography of Jordan every number had huge impact. The “Gaston” Inn number had comedy throughout, the Mob Scene combined slick movements with tension, the Wolf dancers were tight and menacing and the opening number “Belle” had all the hustle and bustle needed to get the show off to a bang. The big number of the night “Be our Guest” must have been a nightmare to block with dancing spoons, plates and even corkscrews filling the stage with such energy and colour.

Huge congratulations to Trevor Wilson who not only led a wonderful 11-piece orchestra but also brought out the best in the vocal talents of NMTC. The volume levels were perfect between band and cast and the harmony work was very clear and concise, particularly Be Our Guest.  

Jordan, you should be immensely proud of your cast, they took your vision, direction and energy and transferred this into some Disney magic. The finale number was received by an audience on their feet in true appreciation of a fantastic night of entertainment and I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for you all

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