Gallery: Beauty and the Beast Melbourne premiere
The blockbuster Disney musical has dazzled A-listers and musical fans alike at an exclusive opening night at Her Majesty’s Theatre. SEE THE PICTURES
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The ‘Belle’ of the ball has arrived in Melbourne to officially open the Broadway blockbuster Beauty and the Beast.
“We are finally here, and we’re ready to share our show with Melbourne audiences,” said Shubshri Kandiah, who plays Belle, alongside Brendan Xavier, who stars as a prince who is turned into a beast by an enchantress’s curse.
The Disney musical, based on a hit 1991 animated film, starts preview shows at Her Majesty’s Theatre on June 27, and launches with an invite-only premiere on June 29.
Kandiah said the musical’s powerful themes of judgement and redemption applied to modern-day perils.
“With social media, it’s so easy to judge someone based on what they present, but you don’t really know what’s going on behind closed doors,” she said.
“I love Belle because she … sees the beauty in people when they can’t see it themselves.”
Xavier said the beastly make-up, wig and costume helped him connect with the dark role.
“It took me a long time to understand him in the rehearsal room, and not feel self-conscious about the character,” Xavier said.
“Once I put the mask on, it feels more comfortable to express the more brutal parts of the character because I’m not myself.”
See photos from the Melbourne premiere of Beauty and the Beast the Musical below.