Sunderland Empire – until 19 February 2022
5*****
Not even a slight technical hitch could taint this tale as old as time, and what a magical tale it was. For me, this was Disney theatricals at its best and I’m sure all the yellow dressed little girls in the audience around me agreed.
Where to begin with the plaudits? From the voice of Angela Lansbury narrating the opening you knew it was going to be special. Stanley A. Meyer’s scenic design and Natasha Katz’s lighting gave the show life from the beginning. With a bright and beautiful village and a dark and scary forest and castle. Wolves, rain and lightning mean this production has the wow factor before we even begin to mention the cast
I’ve heard great things about Courtney Stapleton’s Belle, but on press night we were treated to Grace Swaby’s Beauty and Alyn Hawke’s Beast. Jim Steinmeyer’s illusion design turning Prince to Beast and Beast back to Prince again being truly magical. Swarby and Hawke possessed great stage presence and Swaby’s triple threat singing, dancing and acting is of the highest standard.
Stealing every scene are the Prince’s staff, once human but now cursed household objects. Cogsworth (on press night Thomas Lee-Kidd), Mrs Potts (Sam Bailey impressively channeling her inner Angela Lansbury), Madam (Samantha Bingley), Babette (Emma Caffrey) and Lumiere (a truly magnificent, over the top Gavin Lee) all helped the romance on its way. Back in the village, Maurice (Martin Ball) tries to get help to rescue Belle but Gaston (Tom Senior and his amazing biceps, that quite frankly deserve a programme listing of their own) mocks him while Le Fou (on press night Liam Buckland) and the villagers stoke his already massive ego.
Alan Menken’s music, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice’s lyrics and the live band lead by Jonathan Gill give a rich sound to Linda Woolverton’s book. The outstanding, show stopping, Be Our Guest not only gives Gavin Lee a chance to completely show off his talents but is a huge showcase for Ann Hould-Ward’s beautiful costumes and Nick Winston’s incredible choreography.
This isn’t just a show, it’s spectacular on an epic scale. Everyone concerned with the show, the superb ensemble, the brilliant band and hardworking back stage and technical crew make this a show not to be missed. In Sunderland until 19 February and then on tour around the UK. Miss and miss out