REVIEW – Beauty and The Beast (UK Tour) A Magical Masterpiece

Date of performance: 29th September 2022

Venue: Bristol Hippodrome

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a gigantic nerd of all things Disney. I just love each and every one of Walt Disney’s cinematic creations – and in my opinion, ‘Beauty and The Beast’ (the original 90s’ version) is right up there with the best of them (along with ‘The Lion King’). I’m not alone in this either; the Academy – award winning animated feature has been loved and praised by audiences and critics alike since its’ original release in 1991 (spawning a live – action version in 2017). So, it’s no wonder that a theatrical adaptation quickly found its’ way to the stage – first on Broadway (and subsequently London’s West End) in 1993, and now on national UK stages as a reimagined production.  I was due to see this in Cardiff in January, but those plans promptly went out of the window (thanks a lot, COVID). Happily, though, I found out the production was coming to Bristol, and managed to get tickets for myself and my grandfather. But could it live up to the film?

Story

Unless you’ve been living under a rock your whole life or (like my poor unfortunate Grandpa) have never seen the original film (SHOCK HORROR!) or the 2017 remake (DOUBLE SHOCK HORROR!), I’m pretty sure you know how the story of this goes, right? But for those unfortunate souls who don’t, a quick synopsis.  Spoiled prince is transformed into hairy creature by enchantress (disguised as old woman) and his household of royal servants are transformed into various household objects (main ones – a candelabra, a clock, and a teapot), meanwhile intelligent bookish girl is discontent with life in her “small, provincial town.” Fate intervenes and causes these two lost souls to meet, and in time, both learn that nothing (or no one) is what they first seem, and that the power of true love can be transformative (figuratively as well as literally). Still with me? 

Cast

As our bright, bookish Belle, we had the pleasure of seeing Courtney Stapleton – and she was absolutely glorious from start to finish. This choice of casting was not just in the name of diversity, although that aspect was also very important and one I applaud greatly (one note on that – I particularly loved that, unlike in the two films, Stapleton’s Belle was wearing glasses! That would have meant SO much to me as a child) – Stapleton genuinely looked like she could be an actual Disney Princess. Her Belle was a lot feistier than the original film Belle, but the character’s all-important essence was still present and correct in her portrayal. Still compassionate, curious, a little bit dreamy, and wonderfully independent. Oh, and her voice was drop – down – dead gorgeous – Stapleton can belt like her life depends on it, particularly shown during the number ‘A Change in Me’ – a vocal knockout!

When you have a Belle as strong as this, you need a Beast of equal skill and talent to make the iconic duo complete. Alyn Hawke gave an absolutely magnificent performance. Initially, he didn’t seem very sure of himself or the role (but I put that down to opening night nerves), but as the show went on, I concluded that this had been completely intentional – a slightly more subtle approach to the role of ‘Beast’ that I simply hadn’t seen before, but I absolutely adored. Yes, he was suitably menacing when he needed to be, but Hawke’s Beast was really more a lost soul desperately in need of love and compassion. My heart actually broke for him a couple of times. Also, Hawke really infused his performance with youthful vitality, from his teenage sulking when attempting to get Belle to come to dinner, to his giddy childlike excitement when gifting her the palace library – which really served to remind us just how young the Beast actually is. Like Stapleton, his vocals were AMAZING – and his interactions with Stapleton completely natural and brilliant to watch.

For me though, it was the household servants who REALLY made this show – particularly the Main Trio; Lumiere (Sam Murphy), Cogsworth (Nigel Richards) and Mrs Potts (Sam Bailey – of X Factor fame). Sam Bailey particularly impressed me with her motherly nature, spot – on London accent, and beautiful rendition of the title song. For me, and a lot of others I suspect, Angela Lansbury (who voiced the teapot in the original film, and who actually narrated the prologue in this show!) is the ultimate Mrs Potts, and Bailey seemed to honour that in her portrayal whilst still making it her own. Meanwhile, Sam Murphy was a brillantly camp Lumiere, filled with debonair charm, and lit up the stage just like his flames. He is outrageously funny (particularly in his interactions with flirtatious feather – duster Babette), masters the over – the – top French accent, and expertly leads that famous showstopper “Be Our Guest.” Nigel Richards is also hilarious as the uptight, overly serious Cogsworth. I’d forgotten how funny most of Cogsworth’s dialogue is, until Richards reminded me! Together, the trio created an almost pantomime – feel to the show, which some might find off – putting, but I really enjoyed.

The only member of the main cast that fell a little short for me was Tom Senior as the local villainous show – off Gaston. Don’t get me wrong, he certainly looked the part (nice bod, check. Outrageously large muscles, check.) he was conceited enough, and his singing was strong – but I thought his voice was a bit high for Gaston. Indeed, Senior seemed to have trouble reaching the low notes on some of his songs, so he had to “speak sing” them. Again, I don’t know if this was because of nerves, but it just wasn’t how I expected Gaston to be. For this reason, I felt he was the weakest link, but in a cast with as much talent as Friday’s performance, that’s really nothing to be ashamed of. Louis Stockhil was simply brilliant as loyal sidekick Lefou – I particularly enjoyed his use of slapstick comedy.

In smaller (but no less important) roles – Martin Ball shone as Belle’s father Maurice (his and Stapleton’s father – daughter relationship was really sweet). Also, big shout outs to Samantha Bingley as Madame (watching her trying her damned hardest to hook Belle and Beast up was too funny!) and Emma Caffery as the aforementioned Babette. Last, but certainly not least, Benjamin Dalton was cuteness teacup – ifed as Mrs Potts’s son Chip.

Huge congrats must also go all of the ensemble, none of which put a foot wrong throughout the entire show – singing and executing the elaborate extended chorography sequences (the ‘Gaston’ routine with clinky beer mugs and, of course, ‘Be Our Guest’ were particularly striking. Props to director and choreographer Matt West) like the absolute pros they are.

Music

‘Belle,’ ‘Be our Guest,’ ‘Gaston.’ ‘Something There’ and the title song. All those delectable musical morsels from the film were here, as well as additional songs added in the original stage adaptation (with some omissions – I was a bit disappointed that Belle and Maurice’s number ‘No Matter What’ was cut in this production because I think it displays their father – daughter relationship beautifully), played very well by the orchestra (conducted by Jonanthan Gill). Try to resist singing along, I dare you!

Costumes, Set and Technicalities

As you’d expect from a Disney production, the production standards are incredibly high. The costumes in this show are so, so intricate and lovely (particularly those of the household servants and Belle’s “yellow dress”), and that goes for the sets as well. I’d heard from others who have seen this most recent tour point out that the sets are “watered down” compared to the original production, so I was a bit worried about this aspect of the show. However, I think the combination of walk – on pieces (SO much attention to detail have gone into these!), (beautifully) painted backdrops and screen projection worked really well to show the different locations of the story (Belle’s village, the woods, the castle etc.) and create tension. The lighting was professional, with no obvious blips from what I could see. Oh, and the production was packed with remarkable how – did – they – do – that illusions (Lumiere’s flames! Chip! Beast’s transformation!) to add just that extra bit of magic.

The JazzyHands Verdict

Overall, I thought that this reimagined production of the beloved Disney musical was flawless, definitely as magical as I expected. Obviously, a lot of passion, care and money has gone into this show, and it showed. A perfect theatrical treat for just about anyone – families and Disney fans especially!

Book tickets for the rest of the show’s Bristol run (or when it goes on to Dublin) here – Beauty and the Beast the Musical | Official Disney Website (beautyandthebeastmusical.co.uk)