Beauty and the Beast Jnr

DATE:                 25th October 2024

SOCIETY:                 Castaway Theatre Group

VENUE:                The Digby Hall, Sherborne

TYPE OF PRODUCTION:        Musical

DIRECTOR / PRODUCER:    Lynn Lee Brown

MUSICAL DIRECTOR:        Tammie Eveleigh

CHOREOGRAPHER:        Kirsty Beaumont

The classic story of Beauty and the Beast follows Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a prince cursed by an enchantress. To break the curse, the Beast must learn to love and be loved before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. If he fails, he and his household will be trapped under the curse forever more. The story explores themes of love, redemption, and the power of compassion.

The set and lighting were both professional and well executed. Each section of the set was skilfully transformed to represent the village, woods, and castle, bringing the story’s world to life. During the castle scenes, the rose was thoughtfully kept in centre view, symbolizing its importance and adding a beautiful focal point. A well designed set that enhanced every moment of the show.

The costumes and makeup were beautiful and perfectly suited to each character, allowing them to be easily identifiable by the audience. Each design captured the essence of the characters, from Belle’s charming and elegant attire to the Beast’s striking yet formidable look. The attention to detail in the costumes highlighted the unique traits of each character, enhancing their personalities and making the story more engaging.

The four narrators opened the show with clear and precise vocals, setting the scene beautifully for the audience. Their delivery was word perfect, drawing everyone into the story from the very start. As an essential part of the show’s success, they guided the narrative seamlessly and brought cohesion to each scene. A fantastic job by all!

Belle’s performance was captivating, exuding a heartfelt warmth and sincerity that brought her character to life. Her interpretation beautifully highlighted Belle’s curiosity, courage, and compassion. Vocally, each song was delivered with clarity and emotional depth, adding layers to the portrayal that left a lasting impression.

The Beast’s entrance was powerful and captured the character’s fierce nature from the offset. The balance between his anger and vulnerability, especially in scenes with Belle were handled with care and precision. A bold performance!

I loved Maurice’s performance, he bought both comedy and eccentricity to the stage. He played the part of Belle’s adoring and protective father perfectly. An absolute joy to watch. Well Done!

Gaston’s swagger on to the stage was both strong and dynamic. He captured Gaston’s over-the top confidence and charm, making the character funny and memorable. His big personality shone through in every scene, especially in his interactions with the townspeople and his hilarious efforts to impress Belle. A fun and energetic performance that was exciting to watch.

Lefou was the perfect sidekick to Gaston’s ego, bringing wonderful expression and comedic timing throughout. The perfect combination of cheeky yet charming, Lefou added humour to every scene and captured the audience’s attention with ease.

Lumiere brought elegance and warmth to the stage with her fabulous French accent, captivating the audience from the very start. Her joyful, beautiful singing filled the hall with vibrant energy, making it impossible not to get swept up in the magic.

Cogsworth delivered an adorable and delightful performance, bringing an endearing charm to every scene he was in. His impeccable timing, humour and expressive gestures brought his character to life. My favourite moment of the night had to be when he delivered his classic line, “If it’s not baroque, don’t fix it.” Wonderful Work!

Mrs Potts gave a beautifully heartfelt performance, with a voice that was simply stunning. Her rendition of “Tale as Old as Time” was a true highlight of the night, capturing everyone’s attention and emotion. Each note was sung with grace, expression and warmth. An unforgettable moment in a magical performance!

Madame de La Grande Bouche was performed to perfection, showcasing a lovely singing voice. Standing on stage through scenes without lines can be challenging, but it was handled with ease and a consistent, engaging smile that kept the character alive.

Babette was a small but mighty role in this production that added charm and humour to every scene. Though her time on stage was brief, her playful personality and flirtatious interactions brought warmth and energy to the performance.

Monsieur D’Arque was played as a sinister role that was delivered with chilling precision. With a cold demeanour and eerie expressions, she captured the essence of the character well.

Chip’s costume was an inventive solution to a tricky design, and though she had few lines, each were delivered flawlessly. Her expressions and timing added a touch of innocence and charm to the role.

Silly Girls - Excellent characterisation from all four of you and wonderful singing voices. Your timing and expressions brought great humour to each scene, adding energy and charm to the performance.

The Song of the night for me has to be ‘Be Our Guest’ I loved all the costumes especially the Salt & Pepper pots and all the dancing cutlery. I loved the whole glitz and glamour that was bought to the stage. A real showstopper!

Full of fun, enthusiasm, smiles, and dedication! You gave everything to this performance, and it was a joy to watch you come together to create such a wonderful show.

Well done to everyone involved in creating such a fantastic show. Thank you for inviting me - I look forward to seeing you all again next year.

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