At the Sneddon on a stage that would be dwarfed by any in the West End or Broadway, Steven Stead and his team pulled off a full scale extravaganza with sets to rival any I have seen, and enough energy to light up Durban.
Greg King’s sets were a triumph, scene changes from forest to Enchanted Castle to the Village where Belle (Beauty) grew up were seamless, and every perfomance from Sascha Halbhuber’s sensitive portrayal of the Beast despite the elaborate mask, and Georgina Mabbett’s playing of Belle’s growing love for him were impressive and carefully judged.
This is a musical which demands every character from Mrs Potts the teapot to Chip her son who has been transformed into a cup is performed with pathos and yet avoids mawkishness. KickstArt got it just right.
The musical numbers were sing along, Broadway energised triumphs and the whole cast had the feel of a well oiled unit who were comfortable with each other. I have seen musicals in a lot of cities, and this would hold its own anywhere.
What a year for this fantastic Durban pair has had…again. My best moments in the theatre this year, and I have been in London a lot, have been at Greg and Steven’s productions. Long may they reign.