Beauty and the Beast JR

Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, a young woman from a small town, and a prince transformed into a Beast by a curse. To break the spell, the Beast must learn to love and be loved before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. The tale highlights themes of love, redemption, and compassion.

The entire cast performed their roles with enthusiasm and were well cast, bringing a good level of energy and focus to each scene. The narrators set the scene effectively from the side of the stage, guiding the audience smoothly through the story. Belle stood out with a performance that balanced innocence and intelligence, and her lovely singing voice added real charm to the role.

The Prince was portrayed with strength and sensitivity, capturing both the Beast’s initial anger and his gradual softening. His final transformation was simple yet effective, clearly marking his emotional growth and change.

I enjoyed the character of Gaston, who was convincingly portrayed as arrogant, pompous, and full of his own self-importance. His sidekick, Lefou, brought great liveliness and enthusiasm to the role, adding a playful touch to each scene. The five Le Filles were delightfully frivolous as they swooned over Gaston, enhancing the fun of the performance.

Belle’s father, Maurice, was played with warmth and a hint of eccentricity. His fun, slightly crazy energy added a lively and entertaining element to the role. In contrast, Monsieur D’Arque was convincingly sinister, with a chilling presence that added a darker tone to the production.

The servants at the castle were all confidently and enthusiastically played, each bringing their character to life with personality and flair. Lumiere, the candlestick, was particularly charming, with an impressive costume, lovely singing and a playful French accent that added humour and light to every scene. Cogsworth, the tightly-wound clock, was portrayed with excellent comic timing and a sharp sense of humour, offering a great contrast to the more flamboyant Lumiere.

Mrs Potts, the warm and homely teapot, brought a maternal presence to the stage, especially touching during her rendition of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ - a moment that clearly resonated with the audience. Her relationship with Chip, the young teacup, was sweetly portrayed and added to the heart of the show.

Madame De La Grande Bouche, the grand and dramatic wardrobe, was delivered with conviction, while Chip brought an innocent and endearing quality to the ensemble. Other strong performances included an expressive portrayal of Madame De La Grande Bouche, reflecting the character’s dramatic flair and presence, while Babette, the flirtatious French maid, was depicted with a certain style and playful manner.

The costumes clearly reflected each character’s personality and, helping the audience connect with the story. The set, while simple, was vibrant and visually engaging, especially in the woodland and village scenes. The sound and lighting worked together to enhance the atmosphere, adding depth and emotion without ever taking away from the performances or the cast’s vocals.

Some of my favourite moments from the show had to be the number ‘Be Our Guest’ with its dazzling costumes and the lively knives, forks and plates; Cogsworth’s witty one-liner, “If it’s not baroque, don’t fix it”; and the fabulous choreography in ‘Gaston’ which was full of energy, smiles and creative staging.

Well done to all the cast and crew for dedicating so much time and effort to put on such a wonderful show, and thank you very much for inviting me on behalf of NODA. We had a truly enjoyable afternoon. 

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