Beauty and the Beast Jr

It was a pleasure to ‘be their guest’, as Top Box Studios rounded off another busy year of performances with their Redditch Youth Theatre Company’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr.  As is often the case, the Company had been split into two casts, one for each day of performances. For my visit it was Team Teacups taking to the stage, but I’m sure that Team Candlesticks did an equally good job of bringing the tale to life. 

The show opened with a little bit of backstory, as a selfish Young Prince (George B) stamped his feet and turned away a beggar woman (Kaysie H), who then revealed herself to be an enchantress and turned the unfeeling royal into a hideous beast, who then hid himself away in a remote castle. 

Cut to ten years later, and we met bookish young lady Belle, charmingly portrayed by Tilly C, who also showed off a very strong singing voice.  Belle’s eccentric inventor father Maurice (Jessica H) shared a sweet little scene with his daughter, showing off his latest invention, before setting off to show it at a local fair.  But he was soon getting lost in the woods and menaced by a group of nicely costumed wolves.  There were a few technical issues during this section, but it was clear enough what had happened as Maurice pitched up at the Beast’s castle. 

Meanwhile, local heartthrob Gaston, played with relish by JT M, forever flexing his muscles, and even doing a few press-ups on stage, had set his sights on Belle and set out to romance her, much to the upset of his fawning admirers, Les Fille de La Ville (Emilia Ha, Harriet E and Isabelle H, who all did a great job of showing their yearning for this narcissistic fool.)  Belle, however, gave him short shrift, more interested in the whereabouts of her missing father.  Also in Gaston’s corner was his sidekick Le Fou (Toby B), who even tried to cheer him up with a song in his own name, the rousing ‘Gaston’, which was well sung by him and the ensemble. 

Back to the Beast’s castle, as Belle arrived to rescue her father and met his servants, Lumiere (Felix W, who played the role with great comic swagger); Cogsworth (Eden O, perfect as the fussy clock and with a nicely acted walk); Babette (Freya C, wonderfully flirty); Madame De La Grande Bouche (Peggy C, in a charming performance) and Mrs Potts and her son Chip (Ruby C and Freya M, a lovely, natural double act).  Their song, ‘Be Our Guest’ provided a suitably full-throated end to the first half of the show.  A word too for the wardrobe department, who really excelled in decking out these characters with superb costumes, all of which really enhanced the visual appeal of their scenes. 

The Beast himself was played by Louie W, a young performer who it has been a pleasure to see progress in terms of confidence and skill over a series of productions with Top Box.  He cut a suitably unhappy, temperamental figure, but crucially retained a humanity that made him easy to root for once he began attempting to woo the captive Belle.  For her part, Tilly C delivered a very nice rendition of ‘Home’, really getting over the emotion of Belle’s predicament. 

The principals were supported by a large chorus of children of all ages, who were clearly very well-rehearsed and who kept their concentration going superbly.  They all looked great massed at the back of the stage in their best frocks and bonnets.  I also loved the bit in ‘Gaston’ when they came to the front and performed a really good hand dance – nice choreography work here from Georgie Pearce. 

As the story came to a head, we had more great costumes for the Ball scene, as Belle and the Beast danced together.  Some good lighting, along with a bit of dry ice was cleverly used to enhance the atmosphere for this scene, and again when Gaston and his mob threatened the Beast’s castle.  I got a little bit confused in the chase scene that followed, but the final showdown between Belle, The Beast and Gaston was well performed, with Belle’s final declaration of love and the Beast’s transformation tugging effectively at the heart strings. 

Well done to the whole company, and the Top Box directing team of Tracy Anne Wright and Georgie Pearce for bringing the year to a close in such an enjoyable fashion.  With fifteen shows performed during the year, it’s hard to see how they can top that, but I’m certain they will give it a go in 2026! 

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