Beauty and The Beast Jr

I was very pleased to attend the matinee performance of Toppers School of Dance and Drama’s latest venture: Beauty and the Beast Jr. I was even more thrilled to hear that their ‘relaxed and signed performance’ that morning had been successful - a very important opportunity to make theatre accessible for all. 

The show opened with some excellent storytelling from the four narrators (Amelie Jones, Ava Gauci, Ben Janota and Isabella Takel). They spoke very clearly and confidently and guided the audience clearly throughout the show. We were introduced to a magical enchantress and through the clever use of a prop cloak witnessed the prince transform into a hideous beast.

From here came the first full choral number of the show: Belle. In full company numbers every young person on the stage performed with excellent energy and full commitment, particularly some of the younger members of the society who certainly have bright performing futures ahead of them! The stage was used well by choreographers Millie Price and Hannah Powell and the young performers were well rehearsed and clear in their movements. 

It was during this number that we were introduced to some of our main cast: Maddy Carson as Belle was an engaging and sympathetic character who sang beautifully throughout. Max Kerr and Ava Kerr made for an excellent pairing as Gaston and Lefou respectively. Some excellent comic timing and brilliant confidence led to many laughs from the audience! This was aided greatly by Les Filles De La Ville (Poppy Hazlewood, Sophie Davies and Willow Stradling) fawning over and flirting with Gaston most effectively.  Following this we were introduced to Maurice (Belle’s father) played confidently by Zakk Llewellyn.  

When we reached the castle, depicted well by a static raised platform set adorned with decorations, we were treated to the introduction of the household ‘objects’. Lumiere and Cogsworth (Lacey-Dee Jones and Masie Edwards) worked well together to create many comical moments and physically depicted their characters well. CJ Lewis as Mrs Potts gave a mature and sensitive performance and brought the house down with her gorgeous rendition of Beauty and the Beast in the second act. She interacted very well with Chip (played at this performance by Kadie Leah, doubling with Nancy Holmes) who was adorable and kept up beautifully with the older performers in this group. Finishing up the ‘objects’ were Madison Buckley as Babette and Hazel Pearce as Madame De La Grande Bouche - both played well and created some lovely comic moments. 

Joining them in the castle was the other half of the titular pairing: the Beast. Played by Caitlin Watkins this was a mature and confident performance. She used her voice and body very well to embody this powerful character but also effectively developed the Beast’s softer side. 

The famous number: Be Our Guest was performed very well, with lively choreography and inspired costumes. The committee and volunteers who contributed to the costumes are to be congratulated! Also impressive was the reveal of the library in the castle by the ‘flying in’ of a set covered in books and the projection of the falling rose petals onto the theatre wall - another well done to Matt Tovey, Ivor Probert, Alex McIntosh and the backstage crew. 

The whole production was colourful, engaging and all the young people I saw in the audience were thoroughly transfixed throughout! A big congratulations to Bethany Piper in her first show as Director with Toppers - a huge success. 

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