Disney Beauty and the Beast JR

This is a tale as old as time, a much-loved Broadway musical based on the much loved Disney film and included all the well known songs. It opened with an atmospheric gauze scene where we saw how and why the Beast was created by a curse.

Belle beautifully played by Francesca Hardman-Saiao she showed all the qualities of the character, kind, intelligent and independent. She had a lovely singing voice, I particularly liked A Change in Me.

Beast, a powerful performance by Stephen Wrathall. He captured the struggles within the character perfectly. His costumes and make-up were very good and the transformations were done very quickly.

Gaston (Tom Chapman) had the physicality and arrogance required and there was funny moments with LeFou (Tilly Farman)

Standout comedy came from the performances of Lumiere played with flair by James Russell and Cogsworth, fussy jobsworth by Karl Bogis. Their comedy partnership and contrasting personalities were very much appreciated by the audience.

The rest of the staff at the castle soft and caring Mrs Potts (Sarah Brown) with cute Chip (Orson Haley) exuberant Babbette (Cath Palmer) Madame De La Grande Bouche (Paula Rhodes) who managed very well to negotiate moves with her large costume. All captured their characters well.

Belle’s father Maurice (Kenny Platt) D’Arque (Bruce Fowler) and Les Filles (Gaston’s Fan Club), Catherine Ingham, Jo Winterton and Sarah Murdoch all contributed to an excellent Production as did the ensemble under the Musical Direction of Rachel Pegg and dancing Choreographed by Beatrice Hooper.

The costumes were very good particularly the imaginative ones for Be Our Guest which the audience really enjoyed.

The scenes were effective made by projection and scene changes by the stage crew were quick and quiet under the direction of Stage Manager Bruce Fowler.

Congratulations on a very good production to Director Thea Farman.

Well done to all concerned in this excellent Production.

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