Nearly three decades after its Australian premiere in 1995, Beauty and the Beast the Musical officially opened at QPAC last night for its inaugural Brisbane season, the second step of the 2023-2024 Australian tour that began in Sydney in mid-2023. For those who have eagerly anticipated the chance to see the iconic Disney musical in their home state, the wait has undoubtedly been a long one, yet in my view, it has been truly worth the wait. The musical delivers an enchanting experience designed to captivate young audiences, mesmerize adults, and evoke nostalgia in those who, like me, recall Beauty and the Beast as one of the first films they ever saw as children. Beauty and the Beast is truly a tale as old as time, or for this reviewer, a tale as old as them, originating from the 1991 animated feature film produced during the celebrated Disney Renaissance period, which introduced us to numerous classics that continue to be cherished today. With its profound messages about seeing beyond surface appearances, endearing characters, and memorable songs, all enhanced by animation that still holds up today for a multitude of reasons, it has every chance of being that timeless classic new audiences are falling in love with a century from now. Yet, does the same hold up for its theatrical adaptation?
Beauty and the Beast was the first film that Disney Theatrical Productions adapted from film to stage. Therefore, it is natural to ponder whether this production can match the standard set by their more recent theatrical exploits—from the creatively designed costumes and the immersive worlds of The Lion King to the intricate set designs of Frozen, and the linguistically engaging lyrics of Mary Poppins. Disney’s theatrical works have been a gold standard for many years, sprinkling their trademark ‘Disney Magic’ into their productions to make them as magical as, if not even more magical than the films. As anyone attending this production shall see, this is an ethos they have carried across from day one. If you have been waiting 29 years to see Beauty and the Beast the Musical in Queensland, you are in for a treat. In my view, this musical is Disney’s multifaceted gem, placing a significant focus on character development and offering an overall enjoyable experience that competes favourably with its newer, perhaps shinier counterparts.
Similar to other adaptations by Disney Theatrical Productions, Beauty and the Beast the Musical appeals to fans of all ages but targets a slightly distinct audience compared to its film counterpart. Rather than merely replicating scenes from the original movie, the musical uses the film as a foundation, enhancing and expanding upon it with a darker, more mature, and sophisticated tone. While the beginning and conclusion are the same, the events between are a mix of familiar content and new scenes, adding new layers to the story and the interactions among characters, and introducing complexity that enriches the narrative. The songs resonate in new ways as they are performed, with Belle and other characters engaging more deeply within them and around them, as the musical format so eloquently permits, scenes more greatly emphasise the blossoming romance between the leads, and the looming threat of the rose wilting hits harder when we see the furniture as not mere furniture, but humans slowly losing their humanity. This approach offers a more compelling experience for those like me, who cherished the film in childhood and now seek a more nuanced interpretation, without detracting from the original’s legacy. Nonetheless, the musical remains a spectacle for children, featuring a relatable heroine, humorous moments, engaging side characters, and a blend of whimsy and dazzling stagecraft.
The musical further emphasizes the importance of ‘inner beauty,’ moving away from the classic ‘Prince Charming’ narrative prevalent in earlier media portrayals, including some of Disney’s own past creations. It skillfully employs relevant tropes to craft a balanced mix of humour and significant messages. While not without its imperfections, the result is a narrative-driven experience that was enjoyable from the opening moments to the final curtain call.
The casting for Beauty and the Beast the Musical has been exceptional, with Shubshri Kandiah standing out in the leading role of Belle. I recall working at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre when she made her professional debut as Jasmine in Aladdin the Broadway Musical during the Brisbane season. She has often played princess roles in major musicals, such as Jasmine in Aladdin the Musical and Ella in OA & Crossroad Live’s 2022 production of Cinderella, and now returning for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast the Musical. Although I would love to see her take on a different role, she brings a genuine enthusiasm to her performance that gives the impression that this is her first time playing the role, rather than her ###th time. Additionally, she is a perfect fit for Belle, effortlessly portraying the character’s intelligent, strong-willed, empathetic, and resilient nature. Her on-stage elocution is also top-notch, allowing her to showcase the different facets of her character’s personality while remaining comprehensible at all times. Despite playing Jasmine, Belle feels like a role tailored to her talents.
The other members of the principal cast also nail their roles. Rohan Browne, embodying Lumiere, perfectly captures the charm of the French candlestick, and when paired with Gareth Jacobs as Cogsworth, their performances together for a second time solidify my impression of their incredible on-stage chemistry. Their interactions consistently deliver some of the most memorable one-liners and entertaining scenes. Brendan Xavier’s portrayal of the Beast is another casting triumph. His voice, while somewhat younger than one might expect from the character in the original film, aptly reflects the prince’s age at the time of the curse and adds a gruffness that enhances the performance in more intense scenes. His transformations and physical portrayal are also flawlessly executed. Continuing with duos with excellent chemistry together, Jackson Head as Gaston (Who I first saw down in Sydney when he was originally the role’s understudy) and Nick Cox as Le Fou encapsulate their character’s personalities individually and together perfectly. Along with the ensemble cast, they deliver one of the show’s iconic, more physically intensive songs to perfection, showcasing impeccable pitch and physicality.
Jayde Westaby’s portrayal of Mrs Potts, especially her rendition of the iconic “Tale As Old As Time,” was genuinely moving, bringing a tear to my eye and capturing the essence of the wise and nurturing teapot with precision. Her performance included several moments that were laugh-out-loud funny, providing a dual nature to her character’s personality that Westaby plays to perfectly. Hayley Martin and Alana Tranter, portraying Babette and Madame de la Grande Bouche respectively, complete the principal cast with commendable performances. Though their characters tend to recede into the background more than I would have liked, and I feel there is more from a narrative perspective that could have been explored with these characters if more time was available.
As with the Sydney season, the Brisbane season of Beauty and the Beast the Musical features four local children in the role of Chip – Akira Guiguen, James Mitchell, Ahad Vasava-Pathan and Cru William York Lee. For the opening night, we had James Mitchell in the role, who is making his professional debut with the role, and was not only adorable and had some of the biggest applause for the night reserved for him but also had a voice very reminiscent of Bradley Pierce, the original voice of Chip in 1991. The character is an adorable one, and I would highly recommend not looking into how the costuming for his character is done. It is no “flying magic carpet” level secret, but getting to enjoy the magic of his costume was a major source of wonder to me while watching this production. Also, can I just say that while she passed away in 2022, it is nice hearing Angela Lansbury (the original voice actor for Mrs. Potts) present the prologue narration in the opening. While I would usually advocate for live recordings… this is one exception which both acknowledges her role in bringing Beauty and the Beast to the silver screen and forming a connection between stage and screen.
Given that Beauty and the Beast was originally an animated musical film, it’s natural to expect that its adaptation into a stage musical would include both familiar and entirely new songs. Indeed, that expectation is met. The returning songs have been subtly modified in their arrangements to better suit the stage environment, while new compositions by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice have been seamlessly integrated, complementing the story’s tones and developments perfectly. The music is exceptional, and when combined with stunning choreography, it elevates some of the most iconic songs to a new level of brilliance. In my initial review of the Sydney season, I mentioned that two of the iconic numbers – Gaston and Be Our Guest – could have been implemented better. These songs are vibrant, receive tremendous acclaim, and significantly contribute to character development within the show; however, I observed that they ground the story to a halt a little bit too long. However, after attending the Brisbane premiere, I found their timing and execution to be much better. Still arguably too long given how much narrative there was to introduce? Yes. But I found myself considering them more balanced in the grand scheme of things. My previous concern that Act 2 shoulders a significant portion of the narrative work remains valid, despite the end of Act 1 serving as an ideal stopping point. The pacing in Act 2 appears much more rapid, in contrast to Act 1’s more measured tempo.
From the beginning, Disney has had this ability to portray their non-human characters in ways that don’t break the immersion of their shows while also integrating human actors into the roles. With The Lion King the Musical they introduced next-level costuming to depict the cast as the lions, hyenas and other animals, while with Frozen the Musical, they incorporated puppetry into the role of Olaf. With Beauty and the Beast the Musical, costumes and actors alike do a lot of work in convincing us that they are the furniture they represent. The costuming is top-tier. Lumiere for example wore a three-pronged candlestick costume with the ability to form fire out of his hands, Mrs Potts’ arms were kept in the shape of a teapot while Madame was a full-on chest of drawers. On the human side of the cast, they stay faithful to the animated film, with characters like Belle, Gaston and Maurice donning their iconic garbs throughout the show.
The set design of Beauty and the Beast the Musical is remarkably impressive, and while seemingly adopting some design language from its original productions, employs techniques that see’s it shine amongst even the newest productions. This includes the strategic use of forced perspective props that make a significant impact, advanced digital effects, and techniques such as the wolf attack scene, which not only pays tribute to the musical’s animated origins but also integrates seamlessly with the performance of the cast. Unfortunately, one qualm I do have is that while individual set pieces and dressing are well-constructed and highly detailed, some of the digital imagery used as a backdrop, in particular the grassy field, felt old, tired and dull, and while a minor detail, was something that jerked me out of immersion a few times.
Having had the opportunity to see Beauty and the Beast the Musical a few weeks into its Sydney season, one takeaway was that the technical delivery from the venue was virtually flawless, with no noticeable technical issues. My experience at QPAC, while still impressive, came with certain reservations. Notably, in the first act, some of the higher-pitched spoken parts were uncomfortably sharp, almost painfully so, although this issue did not persist into Act 2. While by no means a flaw on behalf of the company or theatre, this experience was somewhat exacerbated by the sound of high-pitched screaming and whooping from a few audience members seated a couple of rows behind, which felt like it was pushing me on the brink of leaving with a headache. Fortunately, aside from these moments, the audio balance was exemplary. Not a single cast member was overshadowed by the music, and every line of dialogue was crystal clear. This is always a plus in my book and something I have had mixed experiences with over the past couple of years with select productions in the Lyric Theatre.
Beauty and the Beast the Musical is a captivating production that mesmerises with its spellbinding stagecraft and profound emotional depth, seamlessly transporting audiences into its timeless narrative. Thanks to excellent casting, a harmonious blend of iconic, tweaked songs alongside fresh compositions, and striking set designs, this adaptation stands as a definitive version for adults while enchanting younger viewers and those young at heart. Enriched with enchanting melodies and bewitching performances, it marks both a strong start into Disney’s foray into theatrical adaptations, while continuing to be a beautiful rose among the company’s 30 years of theatrical endeavours. Beauty and the Beast the Musical ultimately delivers an unforgettable experience, offering a magical and inventive journey that patrons will hopefully treasure and remember for years.
Tl;dr – Review of Beauty and the Beast the Musical
An Amazing Offering from Disney Theatrical Productions: The musical is a testament to Disney’s consistent quality in transforming their iconic films into magical theatrical experiences, with Beauty and the Beast standing out for its focus on character development and engaging storytelling.
Slightly Darker, Sophisticated Tone: Contrasted against the 1991 film, the musical introduces a more sophisticated tone, adding complexity to the narrative and character interactions, making it more compelling for adult audiences while still enchanting for children.
Exceptional Casting: Shubshri Kandiah shines as Belle, embodying the character’s intelligence and resilience. The cast delivers memorable performances across the board, with the entire principal cast reflecting their character well.
Iconic Songs and New Songs: The musical features both beloved songs from the film and new compositions that fit seamlessly into the story, enhancing its emotional resonance and narrative depth.
Set Design and Costumes: Impressive set design and innovative stagecraft, including costumes that convincingly transformed performers into their furniture counterparts. However, there are a few elements such as digital backdrops which could be improved.
Technical Execution: Minor audio level issues during the Brisbane opening night in Act 1. Overall, the production’s sound and visual effects were well-executed.
Overall Experience: Beauty and the Beast the Musical is a captivating and inventive adaptation that stands strong more than 30 years after its Broadway debut.
Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge Disney Theatrical Productions Australia and the Beauty and the Beast the Musical publicity team at The Peach and Pineapple Co for providing opening night tickets to attend this performance for the purposes of this review.
Information on Beauty and the Beast the Musical’s Australian Tour
Having officially concluded its Sydney season at the Capitol Theatre earlier in the month, Beauty and the Beast the Musical is now performing at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Lyric Theatre. Performances are available to book through until 21 April 2024 as of writing, with more sessions to potentially be announced.
Beauty and the Best the Musical is confirmed to be, following the Brisbane season, heading to Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne starting 27 June 2024. Tickets for that season are currently on-sale up to 13 October 2024 as of writing. Again, more sessions may potentially be announced past this date.
For up-to-date ticketing information and to book tickets, visit the show’s official website.
