AD-Gifted
Beauty and the Beast the Musical is an utterly enchanting evening that you can enjoy in Manchester until Saturday 4 June 2022.
The Disney movie you know and love from your childhood has been brought to life in a production that has all the bells, whistles and candlesticks.
Read my review of another Disney classic, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and don’t forget to get your Lion King musical tickets!
A disney classic
Belle is a small-town girl who doesn’t quite fit in until she meets the Beast. Soon she is locked in his haunting castle and learns this is no ordinary place. A witch’s spell may have turned the Prince into a monster but it has also transformed his servants into magical talking furniture.
And there is one get out clause from this curse. The Beast must fall in true love before the last fall of a petal from a glowing rose. Is Belle the one for him? And more importantly, is he the one for her?
A feast for your eyes
The costumes in this production are inspired. Mrs Potts steaming spout to Cogsworth’s swinging pendulum and Madame’s side board hips to Lumiere’s flaming arms, it’s a visual treat.
This amps up even more when we arrived at the most extravagant scene from the animation ‘Be Our Guest’. How can they top this? It’s not possible, right? Wrong!
Dancing plates, shimmering show girls and flashy feather dusters took over the stage in a classic Hollywood inspired number. With a touch of tap, a dash of the can can, a spoonful of flashing lights and topping of colourful projections this scene was a feast for your eyes.
The set is a wonder. Whether that’s the quaint wooden village or the ornate castle, you’re transported into gorgeous scenes. The projection did a fantastic job of enhancing the locations and really came into its own during the dramatic wolf attack.
An illuminating company
Lumiere (Gavin Lee) was the standout character of the night. He nailed the comedy with his flamboyant, camp and cheeky performance. His counterpart and polar opposite Cogsworth (Nigel Richards) was perfectly posh and so tightly wound up you’d think his springs were about to break. This double act need booking around the world.
Gaston (Tom Senior) was the spitting image of the hand drawn character we’ve seen on screen. With flowing black locks, bulging biceps and a frankly infuriating amount of male ego, he’s the villain you hate to love. His self-titled song, ‘Gaston’, was an acrobatic and energetic knees up in the Tavern. Another big number that will blow you away.
Belle (Courtney Stapleton) is a superstar. Genuine kindness oozed out of her and more importantly, her independence, intelligence and feisty nature was clear. This was one of the few old school Disney Princesses that showed a woman to be strong so I’m pleased this was key in her performance.
The Beast (Shaq Taylor) wowed with his incredible costume brought to life thanks to his animalistic physicality. His anger and bitterness soon thawed and I really bought into his caring side. Together I enjoyed their young romance and sweet chemistry.
Beauty and the Beast the Musical has served up a piece of theatrical excellence. Be their guest and book your tickets today!
Beauty and the Beast is playing at Palace Theatre in Manchester until Saturday 4 June 2022.
On tour at The London Palladium, Bristol Hippodrome and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin