PALACE THEATRE, MANCHESTER – UNTIL SATURDAY 4TH JUNE 2022
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
Beauty and the Beast made in 1991, remains one of the most beloved classic animated Disney films. Consequently it is difficult to put a new twist on an old classic, but the Palace Theatre spectacularly delivered ‘A tale as old as time’. This musical production hits the mark in a way the live action movie, released in 2017, never could. It draws the audience with a sensational score, exceptional cast, stunning design and magical effects, adding that bit of sparkle, you can only find on stage.
Unlike some musicals, this is one where all the music numbers are big. This production features all the favourite classic songs from the animated film, with the addition of several songs including Change In Me, If I Can’t Love Her, Home and one of my favourites of the evening, Human Again. Undeniably the highlight of the night’s performance was Be Our Guest and includes the whole ensemble. The choreography (Matt West), lighting (Natasha Katz) and costumes (Ann Hould-Ward) was truly spectacular, giving this section in the performance, a ‘Las Vegas’ atmosphere. Just when you think, it cannot get any bigger, it does! There is just so much to look at and take in. The production team remarkably manages to transform the animated scene, into real life, right in front of you.
Another highlight for me was the raucous tavern scene, tankards clinking, dancing, singing and celebrating everyone’s favourite guy, Gaston!
When the cast performed the last song of the evening, Beauty And The Beast, I could hear the audience softly singing along, it was quite emotional.
In the movie Belle, just sits at the table and sways side to side, during Be Our Guest. In the musical, Belle (Courtney Stapleton) was tapping, dancing and performing with passion, like the rest of the ensemble. She is also a heroin that wears glasses, loves reading and learning, and has courage in her convictions.
The treacherous villain Gaston (Tom Senior), you cannot help but like and his sidekick Le Fou (Liam Buckland) were ingenious, playing the perfect master and servant relationship and received many chuckles from the audience.
Everyone’s favourite due Lumiere ( Gavin Lee) and Cogsworth (Nigel Richards) are a real highlight and they bounce off each other perfectly. Then add to the mix Mrs Potts (Sam Bailey), Babette (Emma Caffrey) and Madame (Samantha Bingley), it’s just utterly charming. Strong support comes from Maurice (Martin Ball).
The Beast (Shaq Taylor) is charming and funny, as well as menacing and scary. The Beast opens up more as the play develops.
I am still baffled by how the floating head Chip (Rojae Simpson), got his body in that tea trolley. A magical moment was when Chip ran across the stage, freed from his tea cup spell.
I really did not want Beauty and the Beast to end, it was spectacular and magical, worthy of the standing ovation.