Disney Beauty and the Beast

APAN’s Beauty and the Beast is a lavish production with a huge cast, big sets and a lot of buzz.

The cast is a mix of professional performers, current APAN students, graduates and students from a variety of performing arts studios across the state.

In the title roles on Opening Night were Breiarne Walker (who shares the role with Madeleine Shaw) and Sam Rabbone. Breiarne is a fresh and sweet Belle, with a lovely singing voice, while Sam is an imposing Beast, with a depth of feeling. 

Lloyd Hopkins plays villainous Gaston with appropriate swagger and over-confidence, while Max Hughes brings comic verve Gaston’s offsider Le Fou. Jamie Mercanti makes a lovely cameo as Monsieur D’Arc, Director of the Asylum.

Residents of the Enchanted Castle are very nicely played. Lisa Adam is a motherly and charming Mrs Potts, and an audience favourite. Her rendition of the title song is a highlight. Hamish Briggs and Jesse Watts are an admirable comic duo as Lumiere and Cogsworth. Andrea Lim was vibrant as flirty maid Babette with Adina Rabbone lovely as Opera Diva come Wardrobe (Nikita D’Souza and Shanae Van Kempen play these roles later in the run). Teacup Chip was played with beautiful face acting by Stephanie Peglar (the alternate is Megan McDonald), while Chip in human form was gorgeously portrayed by seven-year-old Skye Colcott (who shares the role with Lizzie Collier and Emmy Bekink).

Belle’s father Maurice is played with nuance by Rohan Seinor.

The large ensemble, including a delightful team of Silly Girls and many smaller roles, was very focused and very well drilled, although at times the stage is a little crowded. ‘Be Our Guest’, though tightly packed, was a highlight, a huge production number that delighted the audience.

Sets were very well finished, with the multi-level castle setting used to good effect. The very tight orchestra was excellent, but their placement behind the castle balcony sometimes resulted in some light pollution from bright sconce lights.

Costuming was lovely to look at - especially the use of colour co-ordination in the bigger scenes. Lovely nods to Disney tradition, with some individual flair.

Attracting some full houses, this is a generous production with a lovely vibe, that will be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

Kimberley Shaw