Beauty and the Beast is a production that brings together all the elements of Disney that audiences know and love. A fun, innocent story combined with a beautiful Alan Menken score and all the special effects and wonder that one can dream of provide the perfect recipe for a delightful musical. While expectations were high for the Australian premiere of this much-loved musical, I can safely say that they were well and truly exceeded. From the stunning sets to the powerful storytelling and the incredible voices and choreography on show, this was, without a doubt, one of the most cohesive and spectacular musicals that I have ever seen.

The story needs no introduction. Belle, the heroine of the tale, ventures into the woods to save her father and ends up falling in love with a ‘hideous’ beast, much to the chagrin of the conventionally attractive, ‘cartoon-like’ Machiavelian Gaston. While the story is beloved, it is certainly not the most complex meaning that the production, music and storytelling all must be stellar to interest an adult audience as well as children.

It was the singing and the music that initially stood out in this production. From the opening all-cast number, “Belle”, through to the titular song towards the end of the musical, the iconic tunes flowed right through this production, with both familiar earworms and hidden gems. But great vocalists were needed to showcase the beauty of the songs in the show and this production had the best of the best. Shubshri Kandiah, who played the role of Belle, has arguably the best voice in Australian musical theatre at the moment and once again, showcased her talent with soaring top notes and a gorgeous lyricism. Her rendition of ‘Home’ was truly befit of a Disney princess, encapsulating the innocence and beauty that the song demands. While her onset became a litle harsh at times during the show, it was a small blight on an extraordinary performance. Brendan Xavier was also superb as The Beast, showcasing a powerful yet versatile voice that perfectly captured the nuances and layers of his character.

While Kandiah and Xavier were the stars of the show, the supporting characters also gave stunning performances. Rohan Browne’s rendition of the classic “Be Our Guest” towards the end of the first act was so brilliant that it received an extended mid-show standing ovation (the length of which I have only seen once before when Max McKenna nailed “You Oughta Know” in Jagged Little Pill). Additionally, Jackson Head’s performance of “Gaston” was as slimy as required to develop the character but some of the choreography (developed by choreographer David Chase) in the number was extraordinary, also resulting in a loud and long ovation at the end of the song.

The orchestra also did a fine job of accompanying the work on stage but great commendation must go to the production team, specifically Darryl Maloney and Jim Steinmeyer for their incredible projections and illusions throughout the show. A lot is expected and indeed, required to maintain the magic of Disney but all the special effects in the show were top-notch. They were all executed with precision and significantly enhanced the ambiance of the production. It seemed as though an incredible budget had been spent on making sure that the sets and special effects were absolutely perfect and it was, without a doubt, money very well spent.

While in any Disney production, the performers have the challenge of providing layered and nuanced characterisation to fairly simple characters, the company of this production did a particularly stellar job. Their interpretations did not feel condescending or juvenile and instead, gave the characters more depth and passion, which really resonated with the audience.

This was a production that was essentially faultless. The audience for opening night were absolutely loving every minute and responded accordingly with a huge ovation at the end of the show. Even for those whom Disney is not immediately appealing, this is a production with something for everyone. If there was ever a production not to miss in Sydney, this would be the one. It is truly like no other.

Rating: ★★★★★

Beauty and the Beast is currently playing at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney, with tickets available until 5th November.

Photo credit: Daniel Boud