Beauty and the Beast
September 30, 2007
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Ok let me declare my interest in the show straight away as I have seen the original West End version twice. The first time being with the original cast at a charity matinee with the Queen Mother sitting a few feet away, so a touring version has a lot to live up to.
But this version is very different to the West End original and you cannot fairly compare the two, but with the name Disney attached to the marketing you know the characters and songs already and on that score this production hits the mark. Also the five year old I took with me was glued from the overture to curtain call and I noticed children all around the theatre were held the same.
In the show we meet Belle (Ashley Oliver) and her Father as she tries to fend off Gastons’ advances as he is determined to marry her. After loosing his way in a wood her Father ends up at the Beasts Castle where we meet a range of familiar characters such as the candlestick, clock, teapot who can all sing and dance. However as in all good fairy stories it is only when Belle agrees to swap places with her Father and becomes the Beasts prisoner that there is any chance the curse, put on the Beast many years ago, will be broken and he will become a Prince again.
Played by Matthew Cammelle, who has just finished the Phantom of the Opera in London, where he played both the Phantom and Raoul, the Beast is not too frightening for the young audience (although he does have them jumping out of their seats at times) and introduces a lot of comedy as he tries to impress Belle.
The show has plenty of colour, pyrotechnics, special effects and cleverly mixes projected images with the live action. The score includes the award winning title song Beauty and the Beast, Be our Guest and Human Again, all classic hummable, foot-tapping numbers you cannot get out of your head hours afterwards.
This show is a feel good musical that, and as usual with the Disney name attached delivers what it promises and that is entertainment for all the family.
Comments
-
Recent Posts
Advertisement
Other Regional Sites