Community production of Disney’s Beauty & The Beast would be at home in the West End
Disney's Beauty and the Beast: A Newbury Community Project
from Monday, February 17 to Thursday 20 February
at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore
Review by CATHERINE ROSS-HAMPSHIRE
Kate Izzard and Company have once again delivered a spellbinding theatrical experience with their production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Arlington Arts Centre. Under the expert direction of Jake Turnell-Willett, this beloved tale was brought to life with dazzling performances, stunning costumes, and a level of polish that would not have been out of place on a West End stage
Kate Izzard embodied the character of Belle with grace, intelligence, and a radiant vocal performance. Her show stopping entrance for the ballroom scene is one to be remembered. Opposite her, Jerome Ifill delivered a nuanced performance as the Beast, balancing ferocity and anguish with an underlying vulnerability that made his transformation all the more moving
Sean Strange’s Gaston was a scene-stealing delight, delivering charisma and comedic flair in equal measure. His commanding stage presence, combined with impeccable timing was perfectly offset by Shaun Blake as the idolising Le Fou.
Andrew Card as Lumière was pure theatrical brilliance-enigmatic, and effortlessly charming, lighting up the stage both literally and figuratively. His scenes with Paul Strickland’s wonderfully exasperated Cogsworth were a comedic highlight, their chemistry adding to the show’s infectious energy. Emily Downes was spectacular as Madame de La Grande Bouche, delivering a performance filled with grandiosity, humour, and an impressive vocal presence.
Grace Durber’s portrayal of Mrs. Potts was nothing short of enchanting. Her warm and heart-wrenching rendition of Beauty and the Beast was a standout moment of the evening. Meanwhile, the youngest cast member, Bea Godfrey-Davies (alternating performances with Freya Lee-Bowen and Annabel Robinson-Hanson), charmed as Chip the cup.
The ensemble cast delivered showstopping musical numbers with infectious energy and clever choreography, bringing a joyful vibrancy to the entire production.
The ensemble cast delivered showstopping musical numbers with infectious energy and clever choreography, bringing a joyful vibrancy to the entire production.
Kate Izzard and her talented company have once again set the bar high, delivering a production that was visually spectacular, emotionally stirring, and bursting with theatrical magic.
