Disney's Beauty and The Beast

12th - 16th April 2011, Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds


Director: Wallace Wareham
Musical Director: Simon Pearce
Choreographer: Cary Palmer

Winner of...
 Best Musical of 2011 in our District of NODA East
Best Overall Production of 2011 - NODA East

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Cast

Belle  Megan Polston

Beast   Chris Strahm
 
Gaston  James Barker

Lumiere  Tom Bunting

Cogsworth  Colin Musgrove

Mrs Potts  Jackie Strahm

Chip Ewan Bryson, Andrew Dougherty, Alfie Dry
 
Maurice Ian Robertson

Lefou  Toby Rapsey

Mdme
de la Grande Bouche  Freya Smith

Babette Vanessa Tatum

D'Arque Derek Bourke
 

 

Baker's wife /
Marie                             Fiona Barker

Lady with baby             Julie Baxter
 
Lady with cane No. 2   Debbie Croll
 
Lady with babies          Jess Elvin

Milkmaid                        Cath Harvey

Lady with cane No. 1   Beth Jennings

Candle Man                   Philip Amtower

Fish Man No. 2              Stan Chamberlain

Egg Man                         Jamie Maguire
 
Bookseller                      Nick Gane

Fish Man No. 1              Huw Jones
 
Baker                              Robert Utting

Silly Girls / Chorus
 
Rachel Dawson, Kat Engall, Josie Harrington, Claire Jenkins, Lou
Petch
 
  
Chorus
 
Trish Barnard, Steve Chapman, Sally Donaghey, Jonathan Lodge, Viv Morris,
Grace Stewart-Hogg, Emily Todd

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Lavish sets, beautiful costumes and excellent singing made this show a delight from the moment it started. The variety of characters all so wonderfully played, took us on an enchanted fairy story which really did transport the audience to another world, and for the duration of the show we were all totally absorbed by this wonderful tale.
Megan Polston was a delight as Belle with a truly gorgeous voice which was so melodic and pure, also her manner was so natural and a pleasure to watch and listen to. Chris Strahm as The Beast gave a great powerful performance which was also very moving in his transition when Belle entered his life.
James Barker as Gaston really enjoyed playing his role and made it such an entertaining part. Tom Bunting as Lumiere and Colin Musgrove as Cogsworth worked very well together with faultless dialogue and hugely enjoyable performances. Jackie Strahm as Mrs Potts gave a very warm feel to her role and her solo Beauty and the Beast was excellent and full of feeling. Her little lad Chip played by Andrew Dougherty did so well in the confined space and seemed a happy chap.
Ian Robertson as Belle's father Maurice gave us a gentle man, and he also had great feeling in his solos. Vanessa Tatum was one saucy Babette. Oh la la!! Freya Smith had a great character to play in Madame De La Grande Bouche, and did well especially with her costume which was such fun, and Toby Rapsey as Lefou (his first role with the society) gave a lot of energy to his character. Derek Bourke as the creepy D'Arque was suitably slithery with a sly manner which was great in this cameo role.
I rated this as the best show I have seen this company perform. The harmony singing was very tuneful with good diction well delivered, the sets spectacular, and the costumes, make-up and hair all looked so good. Well-choreographed routines added to the overall professional finish of the production, and imaginative lighting played a huge part in the effects. The children in the audience were captivated as we all were.
Well done to Wallace, Simon and Cary for their huge undertaking with this marvelous production. Many thanks also for a very warm welcome and hospitality which was appreciated very much: front of House reception is so important to visitors and encourages them to return.
— Ann Platten, NODA East