Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast has been given a digital makeover, which prompted an almost unheard of (in Australia) standing ovation during the middle of the musical.

The catalyst for the eruption of appreciation was the rendition of “Be Our Guest”, when the humans trapped as furniture put on a lavish extravaganza of appreciation for the Beast’s prisoner Belle.

The original Broadway and Australian production had all sorts of edible delights and cutlery dancing around. In this new foodless rendition, there is complex geometrical choreography (reminiscent of American director Busby Berkeley and an Esther Williams synchronized swimming movie sequence) amplified by projection that was breathtaking.

The digital makeover and magic tricks give the musical a sparkling fresh lick of paint to satisfy anyone who has seen the musical before and of course dazzle those new to the work. One patron told me he had his “money’s worth” in the first ten minutes. 

The magic ranges from an instantaneous transformation of the Prince into the Beast, and digital pixie dust flying across the stage, to more traditional tricks such as a character (Chip) appearing only as a head.

You can feel the ripples of appreciation of an audience familiar with the musical – welcoming back friends.

Rohan Browne, as the candelabra Lumiere, and Gareth Jacobs, as the clock Cogsworth, received a murmur of appreciation when they walked onto the stage, and carved up their roles with panache alongside all the other assorted delightful characters of the castle - Jayde Westaby (Mrs Potts), Hayley Martin (Babette), Nick Cox (Le Fou) and Alana Tranter (Madame).

Jackson Head as the chief jerk Gaston had very impressive biceps and his fitness was tested working though the new energetic choreography from Matt West.

Shubshri Kandiah was a radiant Belle and Brendan Xavier a convincing Beast. They had a strong chemistry on stage and their voices, both with a controlled vibrato at the end of their phrases, were well matched.

Setting aside all the bells and whistles of the production (which are there by the truckload), the bones of the musical stand up. It’s dripping with lovely tunes and has clear resonant lyrics. The fairytale story is child-like in parts and getting long in the tooth, but there are still plenty of themes (such as intolerance and controlling a temper) which have contemporary relevance. 

Beauty and the Beast is set for a long and glorious return around Australia.

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David Spicer

Photographer: Daniel Boud