Beauty and the Beast

It was indeed a very strange set of circumstances that led me to that ‘Oasis of Culture’, The Hockwold Community Centre. Local NODA representative (the delightful) Julie Petrucci was knee-deep in other productions and I had not been able to fly to a certain Egyptian tourist trap due to …. circumstances. So there I was, in a nearly full auditorium contemplating Alan P. Frayn’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

I will not insult your intelligence by even attempting to remind you of the story. Prince, Beast, rose, pretty girl … blah, blah, blah. The story followed closely the Disney version of events with references to the original story and the names changed to protect the … copy write. Front of house were well turned out as usual with the liveried tops that look so good. Once again, housekeeping and raffle execution was as theatrical as everything that came before or after it !

The set and scenery (uncredited) was excellent, with plenty of colour and cleverly constructed to allow for (relatively) quick changes. Sound (Denise Vaughan and Megan Askew) did everything it needed to, with all cues bang on the money. In a similar vein, Lighting (Danielle Steen and Tony Waterson) was completely appropriate and executed without incident. I am never sure if the musical backing is arranged and recorded or performed live but either way Dianne Ogley-Richardson’s arrangements were excellent, and the performance (uncredited, but could also have been Mrs Ogley-Richardson) were very much the same.

The chorus were plentiful, enthusiastic and most had a full grasp on the lyrics. Choreography (Viv Morris) made full use of the limited space with plenty of interesting moves, well performed by all. In the supporting roles, I enjoyed Andrew Gookey as sinister asylum Major Domo, Monsieur Le Fou and Gary Sander was all about as Narcissistic alpha male, Gustave. Richard Brighton was as camp as a day-trip to Millets in his characterisation of Beauty Salon owner, Marcel assisted greatly by WAG sidekick Monique (Cerys Vaughan). The latter gave a performance of great promise for one so young.

It wasn’t very far into proceedings that I realised that this production was going to be a notch or two up on previous ones I have seen here, and as comic leads Ermengarde and Esmeralda, Casey and Bertie Sander (you can trust the brand) instantly lifted things to a new level. Superb singing voices and a comic delivery that you could take to the West End. The “All About the Face” number had me crying with laughter and was the undisputed highlight of the show. Graham Whitaker was in fine form as nutty professor and father to Belle, Alphonse and Sue Perry showed her class once again as comedy sidekick, Jacqui. 

It seems so obvious, but actually I have never seen the Prince and Beast roles split before, but it worked perfectly on every level. Zak McGarry was well-cast as The Prince with another HATS regular, Dom Bunten, taking over as the Beast. Both were fantastic with Mr Bunten showing some real class as he battled with a cold that left him with a reduced vocal ability - most of the time nobody would have known. What a trooper!

I have seen Amanda Prebula on this stage before and thought what a nice singing voice she had, but the first time she opened her mouth as Belle, the audience were stunned into silence, except for me who let out a very loud “Woah” as she proved why she has sung professionally in the past. A wonderfully sweet characterisation with superb singing and acting to match. Watch out Gary Sander, this girl could get a part in any show within a 50 mile radius of Hockwold!

Penultimate paragraph honours were really difficult to award this time out. It could have been Casey or Bertie Sander and it certainly could have been Amanda Prebula, but I have decided they should go to the incredible Laura Jestico as the maid, Madame Fifi. I think this was the ‘dames’ role but I am fairly sure Mrs Jestico is all woman. She worked so hard throughout the performance and had a powerful delivery and a comic touch that never missed a gag. She also handled the audience participation with complete confidence. In a cast that was knee deep in talent, she still managed to shine.

My profound congratulations to Director, Gary Sander for a tidy piece of work. The Technical direction was difficult to fault and it was only (as is so often the case) the overly long running time that I would list in my criticisms. Even when you are enjoying yourself those chairs can get a little uncomfortable. Well done HATS …. maybe we will meet again … what do you say Julie ?

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