Beauty and The Beast

A fun adaptation of this tale as old as time was brought to the stage of The Kirk Theatre by Pickering Musical Society.  In a French Village we meet Belle (Michelle Carter) and her two unappealing, unpleasant and unattractive sisters Ermangarde (Maureen Symmonds) and Esmerelda (Ann Bircumshaw).  Belle is forced to go and live with the Beast (Matt Dulson) after her father, the eccentric Alphonse (Gary Riddler) offends the Beasts’ hospitality by stealing a rose from his castle. As the Beast and Belle slowly acquaint themselves, the villagers, lead by the no hoper Gustave (Stephen Temple) plot against Alphonse convinced his story of a Beast in a castle in the woods are ramblings of a madman. Belle distraught at being kept from her father is given a magic mirror by the Beast in which she can see those she loves and she witnesses her father being taken away by the psychiatric doctor Madame Le Fou.  She begs the Beast to let her go to her father.  Taking the magic mirror she is able to prove that the Beast does exist and realises at the same time that she has in fact fallen in love with The Beast.  Belle’s love allows the curse to be broken and the Beast is transformed to the handsome Prince Danton (Lucy Boyland).  The story was moved along with the help of the feisty, funny and frivolous Fifi (Marcus Burnside) and her daughter, joker Jacquette (Linda Tester), a great double act who worked well together. Another impressive duo were Marcel (Martin Connell) and Monique (Ruby Williams) who both remained in character throughout.  And mention should also go to Flora the good fairy (Rosie Bircumshaw) and Belladonna the bad fairy (Cheryl Dulson) the latter of whom coped exceedingly well with some hearty heckles from very vocal audience members.  The choice of music complimented the action throughout and was well performed by principals and chorus alike.  The dancing troupes added appeal to the show giving a polished performance in every aspect of their presentation. I was delighted to be your guest on the final performance and thoroughly enjoyed the show.  Well done to all involved. 

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