Beauty and the Beast

As always with your wonderful company you are welcomed like an old friend. They always ensure the theatre experience 
begins from when you enter the door and this year there were banners and costumes in the entrance hall relating to 
previous production interspersed with images and information about this afternoon ’s performance. 

‘Beauty in the Beast’ is a fairy tale written in 1740 by  Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve presented as an original
Disney musical in1994 and live action version with Emma Watson was in 2017. So, with such a wonderful pedigree what 
would your talented creative team create.

We entered the hall and were met with an enthusiastic audience all waiting to enjoy a performance. The curtain was closed 
with the iconic Disney image of the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and roses projected onto it. Stage right there was a stone tower 
with windows a balustrade and a red rose hanging in a glass bell jar on a table. Stage left a four-poster bed with drapes 
and wooden shelves behind with props on and an area covered with a green cloth which cleverly was moved to represent 
the library. The front of the stage was cleverly faced with wooden boards with steps down to the hall and lanterns at the top 
of them. The two main sets were the village with its easily moved structures used to represent both outside in the square, 
Belle’s cottage and the bar and Beast’s castle set which was constructed over two levels with its magnificent staircases, 
stained glass window, arches, fireplace and unobtrusive cell which Maurice ended up in. You are extremely lucky to have 
such a talented set team who use their numerous skills to transform a school stage into a professional stage set worthy of
any theatre. I just wish I had the words to adequately describe the magnificence of the set. 

The props used during the performance were excellent and added detail to all the scenes. The large cart, tables  and seats
used in the village were ideal and the beautifully decorated table and chairs used in the castle demonstrated the Beast’s 
wealth. The inventor’s bicycle created for Maurice was quirky and brilliant and the trolley used for Chip was wonderful with 
it’s cut out cup face for him to speak through. My only disappointment was that I don’t remember seeing the roses’ petals 
fell off but maybe I was mistaken or perhaps it was too difficult to arrange.  The personal props were well managed by the 
cast members.

The technical team were seated at the top of the raked seating. The soundtrack was set at an appropriate level and the 
children’s radio mics were well balanced which ensured all the text and song lyrics could be heard. The monitors set on the 
front of the stage allowed the cast to hear themselves and the soundtrack. The lighting bars set above and both stages left 
and right added atmosphere to the different scenes.

I am totally in awe of what you as a youth theatre group can produce , every aspect of the production was outstanding. Your 
creative team are brilliant and they worked as a cohesive team all with many separate skills and support each other. What 
a brilliant find your new young director is, you need to keep hold of him although I can see his skills being sought out by 
other groups. It just proves to me the calibre of your company that this you man who had learnt his skills and performed in 
your group was able to use these skills to direct the show this year. He obviously had a clear vision of what he wanted. He 
used the 33 members of the cast with precision, imagination and excellent characterisation to bring the script to life and 
they did it with style. I heard you were deliberating about the transformatio n scene at the end but I think what you did which 
maybe looked simple worked extremely well. 

You are extremely lucky to have such a talented musical director who is able to create a supportive environment within your 
cast which ensures they all are able to show their talent and what talent they have. It is not always easy to sing along to 
backing tracks but your MD has the ability to communicate her expectations and make each member shine and as she said 
to me ‘amaze her with their ability’. They were able to make the audience laugh at one moment and be totally silent in 
tears at the next. Superb.

It was lovely to see that your assistant choreograph er from last year had now taken on the role of choreographer and what 
fantastic routines this gifted lady produced. There are so many iconic songs and dance routine in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ 

that it is inevitable the audience will be waiting to see how the cast would perform  but she had created sequences that were 

on point throughout. The stand out moments were the ‘Gaston’ bar routine which was rousing with tankards galore and 

various groups completing different actions all culminating in a fantastic last picture. ‘Be Our Guest’ had a wonderful Frenc h 
feel with small and whole group sections culminating in the great Can Can moves. The wolves dance had a more sinister 
feel and the waltz between the Beast and Belle was magnificent. All the routines were well rehearsed, technically 
challenging and imaginative.

Your wardrobe team as always came up trumps. It was great to read the ‘Wardrobe Team Chronicles’ in the programme all 
of which I could relate to, I just wish I had your team! The outfits were amazing, you ensured all the parts were carefully 
attired in appropriate well fitting outfits. The villagers looked just right, Gaston and Lefou strutted around in their frock coats, 
trousers, boots and tricorns. To create the Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs Potts and Madame de la Grande Bouche costumes 
must have taken hours of careful construction. ‘Be Our Guest’ outfits were numerous and  magnificent and clearly 
recognisable although I did need to ask about the napkins. Belle and the Beast changes of outfit were cleverly managed as 
changes in their relationship happened with the iconic yellow dress and dapper frock coat  at the end. The accessories used 
were great especially Beast’s horns which looked authentic. The added detail of wigs, headwear and careful sourcing of 
footwear and application of make up all added detail.  I would like to add I thought the subtle changes in  costumes as the 
time went by added detail.

The opening of the story was clearly narrated by Lumiere and Cogsworth and played out by members of your cast on 
stage. The story then moved through the village, forest, castle, cottage and tavern as the story  evolved. 

Your young actor at the age of thirteen produced an absolutely outstanding portrayal of Belle, from the moment she arrived 
on the stage until the end of the performance she was Belle. She embodied the part demonstrating a range of emotions, 
her love for her father, her dismissiveness of Gaston’s advances and initial antagonism and eventual love for the ‘Beast’. 
She had brilliant stage presence, interacted with all the cast, danced with skill and her singing was superb ‘A Change in Me’ 
was so heartfelt and her despair at the end palatable.

Your players’ performance as Maurice Belle’s father was great. It is not easy to portray an older character but his stance 
and make up helped. He demonstrated his invention clearly , showed his love for his daughter, his fear with the Beast and 
desperation with Gaston.  His singing with Belle was lovely.

The young man depicting the fearsome Beast was phenomenal. He personified his character from the angry tortured being 
in the first half to the more awkward, eager to  please character when interacting with Belle. He perfected his range of body 
movements and demonstrated a range of emotions I have rarely seen in a sixteen-year-old. He interacted well with the 
members of his household and it was wonderful to see the affection grow between him and Belle. His singing was brilliant, I 
need to mention his delivery of ‘If I can’t Love Her’ after he sends Belle to her father. Never have I watched or heard this 
sung with such passion. His look of total devastation was heart rending and his performance brought me to tears. 

Gaston was played to perfection by your player. He had the right amount of swagger and self-belief; he was the best at 
everything and he would have what he wanted and that was of course Belle. If he couldn’t get her by fair means he would 
use fowl even if this meant destroying his adversary. He played up to the Silly Girls when he wanted and moved and sang 
with confidence. 

The three Silly Girls did a wonderful job of creating their own characters and fawning endlessly over Gaston at ever 
chance.

Lefou’s name said it all, it is French for ‘the fool’ and that is what he  was, Gaston’s sidekick. He was totally loyal to Gaston 
even when he abused him. He was blundering and clumsy and constantly on the move following commands. Your player 
had great comic timing, moved well and sang ‘Gaston’ with gusto.

Lumiere was the maître d’ of the castle and was now a kind, welcoming, charming candelabra who wanted to have fun and 
help anyone especially Belle. Your actor was perfect with his wonderful costume with upright candles which only dropped 
when he danced and French accent which didn’t once falter. He moved with purpose, sang with feeling, interacted 
flirtatiously with Babette and had fun with Cogsworth. 

In contrast to Lumiere Cogsworth was the major-domo of the castle, he was ostentatious and liked to keep his house in 
order, a task that he didn’t always succeed at. He has some great text to deliver , staff to control and all to be done 
costumed as a clock. I did notice that as time moved on, he had a key which then disappeared, I understand that it 
prevented him from coming on stage easily, a design fault I’m sure i f time had permitted it would have been adapted. Well 
played. 

The castle’s loyal, maternal and warm-hearted head housekeeper Mrs Potts was depicted with precision by your player. 
She showed her motherly love for Chip and caring attitude to Belle. Her costume was magnificent she looked like a finely
decorated delft teapot with a cleverly concealed pocket for her handle. She managed her staff with kindness and her trolley 
with Chip in she moved with ease. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ was beautifully sung with clear emotion.  The singing of ‘Be Our 
Guest’ led by Mrs Potts and Lumiere was fantastically delivered.

Your young actor playing Chip had a cheeky smile and spoke with confidence, a worthy portrayal.

The larger-than-life opera diva Madame de la Grand Bouche found herself transformed into the larger-than-life wardrobe. 
The role was depicted with a refined manner she managed her fabulous costume with ease, moving around the stage and 
removing items from the drawers constructed on her front , with flair. She was known for having a loud operatic voice which 
she demonstrated with panache.

The flirtatious maid Babette found herself as a feather duster following the enchantresses visit but this didn’t stop her 
chasing Lumiere. Your player created a cheeky persona with great rapport with Lumiere.

The young Prince was depicted well by your member he demonstrated his lack of understanding. Monsieur D’Arque was 
the owner of the asylum that Gaston intends to send Maurice to if Belle sa id no and your actor created a strong character. 
The beggar woman/ enchantress was shown to be a more powerful than the prince appreciated well acted.

Your ensemble worked hard throughout the performance playing many different parts with commitment. They all use the 
wonderful skills they develop being members of your group every time they stepped on the stage. 

The quality of your performance in every area was outstanding. All the production numbers were fabulous all the members 
of the cast were on point continuously. Of course, all this comes from you talented creative team who instil into every 
member of the team both on and off stage a belief in their own ability and this shines through. A truly outstanding, 
inspirational performance. Many thanks for an unforgettable afternoon.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer 
may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by 
that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the 
performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used 
during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only 
made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater 
achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future 
productions.

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