Show: Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
Location: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Dates: Wednesday September 29 2021
Time: 19.30
Running Time: 155 Minutes
Age Rating: 8+
Performers: Grace Swaby, Emmanuel Kojo, Gavin Lee, Tom Senior & Sam Bailey
Production Company: Disney
Writer: Linda Woolverton
Director: Matt West
This is our theatre review for Disney’s Beauty And The Beast at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre. So, let’s take a look at Disney’s Beauty And The Beast!
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
Background Of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
Disney proudly invites you to ‘Be Our Guest’ for this enchanting musical. Beauty And The Beast returns to the UK stage in 2021, ready to entertain audiences of all ages. Now, this musical has a spectacular reimagination which utilise the latest theatrical innovations, creating a fresh approach to this timeless tale. And that means it will come to life in a theatre setting like never before. Furthermore, this new production brings together members of the creative team on the original Broadway production from 1995.
So, the Prince (Emmanuel Kojo) suffers a spell that transforms him into a Beast. In some respects, his horrific appearance matches his previously toxic personality. But nevertheless, he loses his looks and must rely on the possibility of developing true love to return to normal. Enter Belle (Grace Swaby), a popular and beautiful lady in the village whose father heads out into the woods. But he takes a wrong turn towards the Beast’s castle and falls into entrapment at the Beast’s hands. When Belle discovers this, she rescues her father, but only by sacrificing herself. However, this is just the set-up for the slow blossoming of a relationship between Belle and the Prince. But is there true love, or will the rose petals all wilt away to ensure a Beast forever more?
Analysis
Because it’s a big-budget Disney theatre presentation, I would enter this show with higher expectations than usual. And fortunately, I would enjoy complete satisfaction at the phenomenal production values of this show. The 8K-esque backdrops, the beautiful scenery, the dominating sound, the eye-popping lighting, the first-class orchestra and the incredible props. These are just some of the elements that take this from being a theatre show into an immersive experience. And sitting close to the stage, at times I would almost feel like I was in the story. Not as a character, but as an observer who is in the village and privy to all of the bizarre goings-on. Indeed, it’s a show that will stick in my memory for a long time.
And that’#s in part due to the unforgettable music sequences, with Be My Guest being the absolute highlight. Indeed, this number alone lasts for almost ten minutes and features a movie’s worth of dancing, singing and colour. Not to forget the humour throughout, with Gavin Lee’s Lumiere character particularly generating lots of laughs. And of course there’s the acting, with Grace Swaby shining as Belle and Emmanuel Kojo perfectly portraying a once-callous yet ultimately good-hearted Beast. The show would garner several standing ovations during the night, with the final one lasting the longest. And for good reason, as this is topnotch from start to finish.
Summary Of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
I’ll simply sum this up as thus: you must see Beauty And The Beast. It’s a terrific sho that flies by and captures the attention of everyone from young children to older adults. And with humour, emotion, music, special effects and more, this production has it all. There’s a reason why this show is a hot ticket, and I urge you to get yours ASAP. Make sure to see this, as it’s one of the true theatre highlights of the modern scene. Impeccable.
Notes
Target Audience: 8+
Content: Some Mild Scary Scenes
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 10/10 – Perfect
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast Further Links
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast runs at the Empire Theatre until Saturday October 16 2021. So, to purchase tickets, please click here.
For more information about this show, click here.
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