Disney's Beauty And The Beast

Report on

Devizes Musical Theatre’s

Production of 

Disney “Beauty And The Beast”

Director – Georgia Watson,

Musical Director – Susan Brauton,

Choreographer – Jacqui Davison.

As seen by Bob Allen, NODA SW District 14 Representative 

on Friday, 4th, April, 2025

at Dauntsey’s School Memorial Hall, West Lavington, Wilts.

PLEASE NOTE: 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

Thank you for your kind invitation to visit your production of the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast held in the Memorial Hall of Dauntsey’s School. This was my first visit to see you all and I appreciated the warm welcome. 

This was a big undertaking for any group and I waited to see the results. With any show of this complexity there is a lot to make comment on but I want to do my report in reverse and start with discussing the production as a whole. When the audience can get swept away with the emotions and spectacle of the show it is hard to pay attention to the “invisible” backstage personnel. Afterall if they are working well you would not naturally notice all their good work. And there was so much good work done to bring this show to the audience. The large empty stage was used to full effect. Painted in rough black and white hues it provided such a grand contrast to the costumes. Scenery and props, stairs and platforms moved smoothly and quickly from hidden sliding doors to centre stage. All stage crew were dressed in black and were very, very well rehearsed. And SILENT! Thank you all for giving full support to the cast. No actor appeared lost or waiting for the next scene to unfold. So often stage crew do not get recognised but not on my watch!

The stage was well lit and had some effective lighting schemes. There was a big space to cover and the lighting crew did a great job. They also projected an amusing basic  B&W cartoon to aid the narrator in his scene setting. So much of the lighting was like the “staging” – you did not notice the change or effect as it was seamless.  All the cast appeared wired for sound although there were many good strong voices around. I felt that the opening scenes took a while to become “balanced” for a good overall sound cover. The occasional sound effect, e.g. the beast and wolves, Gaston’s death dive etc were all added without flaw. Again proof of good rehearsal. 

Lastly we had the pleasure of having “live” music. All the musicians were perched on a very small “bookshelf” on the back stage wall.  And then spent the whole show hidden behind a rather shoddy piece of curtaining! Hey! guys didn’t you like the band? Did they manage a comfort break? Were you sending up food parcels? How they produced such good sounds from up “in the Gods” I do not know! I did think the opening music was a little nervous but once warmed up those talented folks were producing wonderful sounds. I’m always wondering why any show feels obilged to struggle with a complex piece of opening music when they are warming up. Also the volumes matched the vocals on stage so well. Thanks to all those musicians. Did you manage to get them all down from their perches?

Finally in this section - Congratulations to that talented person who created the fading rose in the glass case. What an absolute bonus to have such a brilliant working prop – it was never this good at the Bristol Hippodrome! 

Why was his name not in the programme? 

Please get the rose advertised for other groups to use, it’s too good to gather dust. 

So we have established that backstage everyone was working hard to support the cast so perhaps we should discuss their performances. It is very difficult to keep an open mind where acting roles are concerned because if the acting is good then we will all have favourites - as the audience applause confirmed. The overall standard of the complete cast was very good and I will keep comments simple as it was very much an ensemble piece of work.

I must start with Belle played by Georgia. For me she was Belle after her first song. She was well chosen for the part as she lifted the energy level everytime she was on stage. Her singing was so enjoyable – congratulations.

Pity Samuel playing the Beast. Walking around covered in dark clothing without even a splash of colour in his costume. He played that part so well when it was so difficult to maintain. 

Gaston was played with such vigor by Gareth. Brilliant – just loved to hate him. Always need a good villian. And how we all felt for Adam playing Lefou and having to be nice to Gaston. Good partnering.

Lumiere played by Oli was so on the spot every time he came on stage. So much energy when on stage. Well played.

Maurice played by Graham. A difficult role to play as it is mainly being a foil to Belle but it was well played with a very good singing voice.

Cogsworth played by Tia. Difficult part to take on, as the charcter is unloved, but handled with care.  

Babette was a whirlwind when on stage and Natalie appeared to really enjoy her role. Well done to Claire who played Madame de la Grande Bouche for actually attempting to act under a wardrobe! Wishing you a thinner role next time!

And final Thanks to Sarah, playing Mrs Potts, and so beautifully singing my favourite song from the movie!

Thank you all for presenting such a quality show and I look forward to my next visit.

Kind regards

Bob Allen. NODA SW district 14 Representative

N.B. The comments above are solely the view of the representative attending and only reflects the performance seen.

 

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