Beauty and the Beast stuns as famed broadway show opens in Melbourne

Nobody does musical theatre like Disney, and Beauty and the Beast is a sumptuous grand-scale musical with stunning stage magic, special effects and illusions. SEE THE REVIEW

Beauty and the Beast opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday. Picture: Daniel Boud

Nobody does epic musical theatre like Disney.

And its timeless show about a beast who must learn to love, and be loved in return, in order to break a dark spell, is an absolute beauty.

Beauty and the Beast opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday.

Based on the hit 1991 animated movie, the blockbuster show tells the story of a prince who is turned into a monster by an enchantress’ curse.

Shubshri Kandiah and Brendan Xavier in Disney's Beauty and The Beast. Picture: Daniel Boud

His servants are also trapped by the hoodoo, and face the grim prospect of being inanimate objects forever.

Enter Belle, a feisty young woman who just might break the doom hanging over this unhappy household.

Beauty and the Beast is a sumptuous grand-scale musical with stunning stage magic, special effects and illusions.

That said, technology does not quieten the show’s ever-beating heart, led by the undeniable chemistry of Belle, played by a radiant Shubshri Kandiah, and complemented by Brendan Xavier’s multi-layered and complex Beast.

At preview shows last week, Jackson Head gave a muscular Jim Carrey-esque performance as Gaston, powered by vanity, bicep curls and a long list of ghastly pick-up lines aimed at the leading lady.

Rohan Browne as Lumiere. Picture: Ben King

Gareth Jacobs as Cogsworth. Picture: Ben King

Gaston was played by Rubin Matters on Saturday night.

But it’s Lumiere (Rohan Browne) and Cogsworth (Gareth Jacobs), a comedic candelabra and clock double act, who almost steal the show.

Jacobs is a master of expression and, excuse the clock pun, timing. Each exhale, eye-roll, wince, groan, monologue, and whatever else Jacobs can muster, is gold.

Browne’s version of the can-do candle is charming, upbeat and unexpectedly emotional when, near the show’s end, Lumiere ditches all self-serving motives and pleads with the tortured Beast to find courage.

Cast members of the Gaston number on stage. Picture: David Caird

Musically, the centrepiece of this five-star show is Be Our Guest, led by Browne, a former ballet dancer.

It is an 11-minute kaleidoscopic tour-de-force of opulent choreography, elaborate costumes, swirling plates, tap dance, exploding pyro, ruffled feathers, and crazed cutlery. Layered and lavish, dazzling and decadent, it’s everything AND the kitchen sink.

Beauty and the Beast is a five star show with all the frills. If you want a joyous night out, with heartwarming lessons about love and second chances, be their guest.