Beauty and the Beast the Musical at Capitol Theatre
Starting this June Sydney's Capitol Theatre is inviting everyone to "be their guest" as Disney conjures a newly re-imagined production of the smash hit Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast. The new state of the art show adds to the steady stream of hit Broadway musicals that have taken up residency in the harbour city over recent years, including the likes of Hamilton, Pippin, Frozen and most recently Moulin Rouge!
The musical is of course based on Disney’s groundbreaking animated film from 1991, which has the privilege of being the first animated feature to ever be nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Picture. Three of its iconic songs including "Be Our Guest" and "Belle" were also nominated for Best Original Song in the same category at the 1992 Oscars, where it ultimately won for its title track "Beauty and the Beast”.
Much of the film's success was courtesy of the extraordinary music and lyrics by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman. The original musical theatre production subsequently opened on Broadway in 1994, and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning for best costume design. The musical also has the honour of being one the top 10 longest running shows on Broadway, playing for more than 13 years before eventually closing in 2007.
The newly redesigned version of the show, also currently playing on London's West End, has been re-imagined by key members of the original creative team. This includes the likes of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice, as well as costume design by Ann Hould-Ward and choreography by Matt West. The result is a sensational spectacle that seamlessly transports audiences into a world of magic, wonder and romance.
Beauty and the Beast the Musical - Shubshri Kandiah Interview
The updated musical successfully pays homage to both the beloved animated film and the original Broadway production while simultaneously introducing new elements and technology. This includes the innovative use of digital projection and lighting, which brings the familiar Beauty and the Beast locations to life, from the enchanting ballroom to the opulent library and the dangerous dark forest. The creative integration of visual effects immerses the audience not only in the plot, but in the enchanting and wondrous story world as well.
Leading the wonderful cast is the amazing Shubshri Kandiah, who takes on the role of Belle following her immensely successful run in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Kandiah is incredible in the part, providing a wonderful sensitivity and emotional range to the character of Belle with fabulous attention to detail. Kandiah also exudes warmth, heart, and tremendous strength, creating a multifaceted and compelling portrayal of the beloved character. Her singing sequences are also fantastic as she displays her wonderful vocal range with some of the best songs in the production, including "Belle" and "Home".
Kandiah shares the stage with relative newcomer Brendan Xavier who plays the role of the Beast. Xavier balances a blend of unpredictable rage and naive innocence as he brings the furious Beast to life on stage. He also reveals a tremendous singing voice that is somewhat under-utilised in the production mainly due to the Beast's limited musical numbers. Xavier also manages to make the Beast incredibly petulant and unlikable in the first act, setting the audience up for a compelling and endearing transformation in the second act which is fascinating to watch.
The production is highly creative with its use of costume, as it conjures unique creations to resemble inanimate objects such as tea pots, clocks and candelabras, as the performers bring the objects to life through their performance. While not reaching the same level of effectiveness as the animated motion picture, the performers' ability to adapt their costumes to follow the narrative on stage creates an intriguing visual experience.
Rowan Browne illuminates the stage as Lumiere, with charm, dynamic physical humour and fantastic quick wit. Browne delivers the musical’s show-stopping moment with his rendition of the iconic song "Be Our Guest." The elaborate sequence resembles a 1930s Busby Berkeley extravaganza, featuring a kaleidoscope of dance, lights and colour. The result is a mesmerising foot tapping spectacle that even received a lengthy standing ovation on opening night in the middle of the show. It is a sequence that is sure to have audiences smiling and feeling nostalgic.
Jayde Westaby also leaves a lasting impression as she takes on the role of Mrs Potts. Her depiction is completely heartwarming, honouring Angela Lansbury’s depiction from the animated film while infusing her performance with tremendous compassion and warmth. Her rendition of the title song "Beauty and the Beast" is incredibly touching, as the stage transforms into the opulent ballroom with lavish costume transformations that will leave audiences gasping in awe.
Beauty and the Beast the Musical - Jayde Westaby Interview
The introduction of the infamous Gaston is also an absolute highlight. Jackson Head courageously takes on the part, which was originally played by a young Hugh Jackman in the first Australian production of Beauty and the Beast all the way back in 1996. Head embodies the role with great enthusiasm, as he shares his unique brand of bravado and over-the-top narcissism. In the process he brings Gaston to life on stage, demonstrating impeccable comic timing and an array of highly humourous moments that add an extra layer of entertainment to the show.
Audiences can expect a multitude of surprises throughout the musical, including various stagecraft magic and trickery, as the staging transforms from one memorable scene to the next. This is topped off by the highly unexpected opening narration from the late Angela Lansbury, the original voice of Mrs Potts. This incredible attention to detail creates an enchanting and immersive experience that is sure to entertain audiences young and old.
Overall, Disney manages to bring a different kind of magic back to the Capitol Theatre with this iteration of Beauty and the Beast. There is nostalgia, humour, fabulous performances and most of all, some amazing live musical orchestration that not only honours what was so great about the original film, but also transports you to another world at the same time, in a way that only Disney productions can. The spectacular show is a definite must see. Get your tickets now!
