Beauty & the Beast

I always look forward to my visits at Princess Hall to see the Clevedon light
Opera club and we were made especially welcome by Angela and the front of
house staff. You certainly set the tone for the evening. The interval drinks
were really appreciated thank you so much.
You certainly delivered a charming and heartfelt performance, brought to life
by a cast and creative team who clearly poured passion into every detail. The
homegrown sets and costumes were a real highlight, thoughtfully crafted, full
of character, and perfectly suited to the story. They created a world that felt
both imaginative and intimate, proving that creativity often shines brightest
when it’s made close to home.
The casting was spot-on, with each performer fitting their role beautifully. The
ensemble in particular worked with impressive focus and energy, supporting
the story with seamless transitions and some truly lovely harmonies that lifted
key moments of the show. Their unity on stage added depth and warmth to
the production. This was a delightful retelling of a classic tale delivered with
heart, talent, and a clear sense of community spirit.
The set you created for the show was a triumph of creativity and practicality,
allowing the show to move effortlessly from one scene to the next. I’ve
always admired how you build your sets right out to the side of the stage it
gives a wonderful sense of space well also creating distinct areas for the
audience to focus on. This production used that approach beautifully.
The enchanted rose was a real stand out. Sitting under its dome, glowing
softly and losing its petals throughout the show, it served as a constant
striking reminder that time was running out. It looked truly spectacular. The
library reveal was nothing short of genius. It was as if by magic the books
appeared from nowhere, a super transformation that earned its gasp from the
audience. The woodland cloth also did exactly what it needed to do. Paired
with the atmospheric lighting, it created a believable and immersive forest
setting.

There certainly were plenty of visual highlights in this production, but Be Our
Guest was a showstopper. You threw everything at it, and the result was a
dazzling, high energy moment that absolutely wowed the audience. In fact
you delighted the audience from start to finish, leaving us all with that warm
reminder of why community theatre continues to shine so brightly. A truly
memorable evening. Thank you.

CHOREOGRAPHY (Toria Ford)
The choreography throughout this production was nothing short of
outstanding, showcasing a choreographer with a clear vision, a brilliant sense
of storytelling, and an exceptional ability to shape movement that enhances
rather than overwhelmed the action.
The opening street scene in the market square was a triumph - it bustled with
life, full of clever detailed business that gave every performer purpose and
personality. Despite the complexity nothing ever distracted from the narrative
instead, it created a vibrant world that drew the audience straight in.
Your standout achievement was “Be Our Guest”, which grew and grew into a
spectacular showpiece. You allowed the number to build with joyful abandon,
filling the stage with inventive movement, bold staging, and a sense of
celebration that was impossible to resist. It was a true theatrical feast.
“Gaston” was another breathless highlight tightly drilled, full of character, and
bursting with energy. The precision and humour woven into the choreography
made it one of the most memorable moments of the evening and “Human
Again”was simply beautiful. It carried a warmth and flow that made the
number linger long after it ended. It’s still playing in my head, a testament to
how effectively the choreography captured the heart of this song. This
choreographer clearly understands how to blend storytelling, spectacle, and
emotion into something unforgettable.
MUSICAL DIRECTION (Sue Parker)
What a great line up in the pit. I could tell harmonies had been drilled into the
company and these came across clearly. There was always a good balance
between the pit and vocals. It was only the odd occasion a few words were
missed but overall excellent balance. I understand Annie came in to conduct
very close to the performances, and I must say you couldn’t have relied on
anyone better.
Not an easy hall to sound, but CLOC always seem to manage it. Well done.

PROPS
The props throughout the production were consistently thoughtful, well
chosen, and perfectly in tune with the world of the show. Every item felt
appropriate to the setting and story, enhancing the action without
overdrawing unnecessary attention to itself. From the bustling market Square
to the enchanted castle, the props helped create a rich, believable
environment that supported the performers beautifully.
COSTUMES ( Lynne Ruddock & Sally Staniaszek)
The in-house costumes for this production was nothing short of exceptional.
Every piece was beautifully made, wonderfully fitted, and perfectly matched
to the needs of the show. It was clear from the moment the curtain rose that
an enormous amount of time, talent, and care had gone into creating each
look.
The scale and undertaking must have been immense, yet the results were
consistent, impressively detailed, character appropriate, and visually striking
from every angle. The craftsmanship shone through in every stitch and
silhouette.
A huge bravo to Lynne and Sally and their entire team, their Work didn’t just
support the production it elevated it. A truly remarkable achievement.
BELLE ( Natalie)
From the moment you stepped on stage your performance as Belle radiated
energy and charm. You brought a vibrant presence to every scene, capturing
Belle’s, curiosity, kindness, and quiet strength with a natural ease that made
her instantly engaging to watch.
Your voice suited the role beautifully. Clear, expressive, and full of emotion.
Whether you were singing with bright optimism or navigating Belle’s more
tender introspective moments, you delivered each song with confidence and
heart.
Your chemistry with Maurice was especially lovely, your father / daughter
relationship felt warm and believable, grounding the story with genuine
affection. As the show progressed you also portrayed Belle’s evolving
feelings towards the Beast with impressive nuance. The gradual shift from
fear to understanding to affection was handled with subtlety and sincerity
making the emotional arc feel earned and deeply human. This was a
wonderful performance full of life, authenticity and storytelling skill. Well done.

BEAST ( Simon)
This production was lifted to another level, thanks to this exceptional
performance. Your vocal range was nothing short of remarkable and powerful
when the moment demanded it, yet capable of surprising softness and
emotional nuance. You closed act one with a truly stunning finish “If I Can’t
Have Her” delivered a vocal climax that left the audience breathless.
What made your portrayal so compelling was the balance you struck
between strength and vulnerability. You carried the physicality of the beast
with confidence, yet allowed glimpses of humanity to shine through at just
the right moments. Your costume suited you perfectly and the make-up and
wig-work were a triumph and never overshadowed your performance.
The fight scenes were another highlight. They were sharply choreographed
and impressively executed, with a realism that kept the audience fully
engaged, this really was a standout performance, polished, heartfelt, and
memorable.
MAURICE (Rob)
This was a wonderfully charming performance that brought real heart to the
production. Your take on the eccentric inventor was full of warmth and good
humour, making him instantly likeable from the moment you stepped on
stage. You struck a great balance between comedic timing and genuine
emotion, which made Maurice feel more than just a supporting character - he
was essential to the story.
Your chemistry with Belle was especially strong. Your scenes together had an
authentic dynamic that grounded the show and added emotional depth.
Whether you were tinkering with your inventions or standing up for Belle, you
remained completely believable drawing the audience into your world with
ease.
GASTON (Tom)
What a great part for you. Your performance was entertaining as it was
vocally impressive. Powerful, controlled, and full of character, perfectly
capturing Gastons larger than life bravado. What really made your
performance shine was the comic timing. You leaned into Gaston’s over the
top ego with just the right amount of exaggeration, creating moments that
had the audience laughing without ever losing the characters charm. Every
gesture, expression, and line landed with confidence, making him a magnetic
presence whenever he stepped on stage.

LEFOU (Hannah)
You delivered an irresistibly energetic performance that lit up every scene you
were in. You threw yourself into the role with no holds barred, bringing a
whirlwind of physical comedy, sharp timing, and infectious enthusiasm that
kept the audience fully engaged. As Gaston’s devoted sidekick, you proved
to be the perfect foil - your reactions, expressions, and playful antics
amplified Gaston’s bravado beautifully, creating a dynamic partnership that
was both hilarious and cleverly crafted. Your chemistry together made every
shared moment feel vibrant and well balanced, certainly a performance full of
charm and energy.
LUMIERE (Kieron)
This was a beautifully natural performance that felt effortless from start to
finish. Rather than leaning on caricature, you brought a refined charm and an
easy confidence to the role, allowing Lumiere’s wit and warmth to shine
through in a wonderfully authentic way. Your stage presence was captivating,
graceful, charismatic, and always engaging. Every line and gesture felt
perfectly judged, creating a character who was both delightfully flamboyant
and genuinely heartfelt. You carried the humour with a light touch, never
overplaying it, which made your interactions with the rest of the cast feel
organic and full of life. You illuminated the stage not just with comedy, but
with sincerity and style.
COGSWORTH (Mark)
You delivered a solid and thoroughly enjoyable performance, bringing the
character’s fussiness and formality to life with great precision. You captured
Cogsworth’s uptight nature with a light comedic touch, making every moment
feel well timed and genuinely entertaining. Your interactions with Lumiere
were especially effective, creating that familiar, endearing contrast between
order and chaos. You handled the humour with confidence, never overplaying
it which made your character feel grounded and believable while still
delightfully exasperated. A well thought through performance.
BABETTE (Angela)
This was a delightfully flirty and fun performance. It brought sparkle to every
moment you appeared on stage. You embraced Babette’s coquettish
personality with confidence and wit, creating a character who was both
mischievous and irresistibly charming. Your timing was sharp, your energy
infectious and you balanced the flintiness with a warmth that made Babette
feel genuinely endearing rather than exaggerated.

MADAME DE LA GRAND BOUCHE (Anne)
This was a delightful performance full of charm, poise, and personality. You
embraced the characters grand, operatic flair with confidence, yet kept it
grounded enough to feel genuinely heartfelt. Your presence on stage was
vibrant and engaging, bringing both humour and warmth to every scene.
You captured the characters larger than life spirit without ever tipping into
excess, creating a performance that felt polished, playful and wonderfully
theatrical. Your moments of musicality were especially enjoyable, adding a
touch of glamour that suited the diva turned wardrobe perfectly.
MRS POTTS (Mim)
This was a wonderfully gentle and heartfelt performance that brought real
warmth to the production. You captured the character's nurturing spirit
beautifully, offering a calm steady presence that grounded the more magical
elements of the story. Your scenes were filled with sincerity and a quiet charm
that brought a lovely emotional depth to the role without ever over stating it.
Whether offering comfort, wisdom or a touch of humour, you made Mrs Potts
feel genuinely caring and deeply connected to those around her. A tender
graceful performance that added heart kindness and a touch of timeless
magic to the show. A particular highlight for me was the title song and you
didn’t disappoint.
CHIP (Fin & Seb)
This was an utterly charming performance that warmed the audience from
the moment you appeared. You brought a lovely innocence and sweetness to
the role, making Chip feel full of curiosity, kindness, and a quiet humour. Your
line delivery was clear and confident and you handled every moment with a
natural ease that made the character instantly endearing. This was a
delightfully heartfelt performance that left the audience smiling.
Filles De La VIlle. (Jasmine, Becca and Izzy)
You three girls were an absolute delight. You brought great energy, sharp
characterisation, and a lovely sense of mischief to every moment you were on
stage. Your harmonies blended beautifully, and your timing (both comedic
and musical) added real sparkle to the village scenes. What a charming trio.

DIRECTOR (Lois Bennett)
This was a wonderfully assured production, shaping the show with a strong
sense of pace and a clear understanding of how to keep the story flowing
effortlessly from scene to scene. Your collaboration with the set building team
was evident throughout, every transition felt seamless, smooth, and
thoughtfully planned allowing the audience to stay fully immersed in the world
of the show without interruption.
Your work with the cast was equally impressive. Each character felt well
defined and purposeful, and there was a lovely sense of chemistry and
connection across the ensemble. You brought out individuals strengths while
ensuring the company moved as a cohesive whole, creating moments that
we’re both emotionally resonant and visually engaging.
This was direction marked by clarity, confidence, and care, a production
shaped with real attention to detail and a deep understanding of what makes
Beauty and the Beast such a beloved story. Well done.
Thank you CLOC for yet another wonderful night at the Theatre. Your warmth
and generosity mean a great deal.
Look forward to seeing you all soon.
Best wishes
Mike

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