Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Report on

Sodbury Vale Musical Comedy Club’s Production of

Disney “Beauty And The Beast”
Directors & Asst Directors – Rachel Sellick & Alison Whaley

Musical Director – James Finbow,

Choreographer – Anne- Marie Whaley, Alison Whaley, Rachel Sellick.

As seen by Bob Allen, NODA SW District 14 Representative

on Friday, 7th, November, 2025
at Chipping Sobdury Town Hall.
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. This is a fast-paced show with great opportunities for
memorable songs, fast dance sequences, fights and romance. Performed with plenty
of energy and talent this is a great audience pleaser and a favourite of this reviewer.
The evening viewed was a sold out performance and was a great choice for the local
audience but restricted by the venue. There is a high small stage which, because of
the musicians, means the audience is not near the action on stage. The cast were
wired for sound so not a note was missed and the musical back up was at a
balanced level.

The stage was set with a rear raised area against changing painted cloth scenes.
There were fixed legs and borders which had been painted a dark red colour and
adorned with stencilled black rose stems and very white roses. I believe these were
a mistake and only served to stress the restricted stage area. Had all these legs
been of a neutral colour it would have not distracted from the acting on stage. The
white of the roses could also clearly seen in nearly every scene. The glass encased
red rose, when seen, was placed at the centre rear of the stage when I believe it
could have been housed somewhere at the stage edge and easily seen by the
audience. There were also some moving white single curtains that were used for
changing scenes as well as backdrops and seemed sometimes to have moves of
their own. Greater control was needed over the lighting plot for the entire show.

There was never a constant level of lighting on any of the scenes. There were
different colours showing on the rose borders, scenes changing from full light to spot
without merging from one to another, characters moving across stage into darkness.
Towards the end of the show the transition for the beast happened behind a white
curtain where some of the lighting rig was clearly shadowed on the white curtaining.
Worse were the set show highlight pieces ending in coloured spots moving around
the hall to the music!

Costumes for all the cast and ensemble were extremely good, varied and colourful,
except for the beast. I would have liked to see some richer looking material, some
coloured velvet perhaps, he was supposed to be wealthy. Instead he ended up
looking poorer than his staff. The very white shirt he was wearing was notable for all
the wrong reasons and perhaps strong boots would have given a stronger look.
When he became human again a formal coat would have looked good.
I was sorry that so many small distractions occurred in what was a very tight well-
rehearsed show. The whole team really worked as one. The staging and
choreography was solid and natural. Singing and acting were also natural. Here we
really saw a team working together with a united cause. I would urge those directing
future shows to consider not just the acting and singing when forming a show – look
with fresh eyes at the lighting and scenery.

Any show of this substance has a few set pieces and or scenes which worth noting
and provide a benchmark for the show as a whole. My first scene is the Gaston
drinking scene. This is not an easy scene to achieve as the audience almost ends up
applauding the odious Gaston. Here was a very well choreographed scene. Plenty of
extra cast on stage, plenty of movement and action and everyone having fun. The
final arrangement of bodies in the last few bars gave a wonderful tableau – only to
be spoilt by the movement of coloured spots around the hall. For me this was the
best that I have seen this scene performed. The Directors should have believed in
the scene they had produced and just accepted the deserved applause. And left the
coloured lights until the next show in the season.

Next I would mention the “Human Again” scene. What a joy! The reversing of all the
objects in the household back to Humans again. Again the stage was filled with
bodies – all using the stage and filling it with song. So good to watch I almost wish I
was on stage with them.
Of course we have to consider “Be Our Guest”. The scene made famous from the
cartoon. Perhaps I would have suggested less is more! I cannot think of anything,
except the kitchen sink, the Directors could have thrown at this scene. Firstly there
was too much and again all the whiz-bang lighting effects. I would have liked to see
some more colour injected into the visuals – as we did have plenty of white and
silver around in the costumes. I had the impression that there had been less
rehearsal on this scene and I apologise if that is incorrect. As a scene it did not
appear so tight and quick.

Usually summing up a review I would briefly mention the key actors and their roles.
On the evidence of this show I really cannot choose to focus on any one person.
Everyone was chosen to fit the role that was right for them. I have never seen such a
well suited cast. There were good voices in the Ensemble players who made their
roles their own as much as if they too had key roles. Yes I can say that Emily as
Belle, Ben as the Beast had their fan clubs in the audience but that they were
eclipsed by the fan club of Dan playing Lumière! I extend my thanks to all involved in
this evening’s show. I hope they have plenty of happy memories to cherish. I did
admired the effort at curtain call to have the children up on stage for photos with the
cast.
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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