Suzannah Brooksbank was an effortlessly graceful and charming Belle; she managed to personify all the classic Disney-princess-isms without being too saccharine, and had an exceptional voice. Another stand-out performer was Duncan Blagrove as the egotistical, self-assured Gaston. His performance of ‘Gaston’ in the bar with the townspeople was one of the most entertaining scenes in the production, and had me wondering why on earth Belle had turned down his hilariously misogynistic marriage proposal. Another highlight was the performance of ‘Be Our Guest’ where an array of humorous household objects parade down the stage, including a dancing carpet that was very popular with the audience.
Unfortunately there were a few minor technical difficulties, particularly with the sound, which was a shame as this took away slightly from the otherwise outstanding singing. The performers did not let these minor hiccups faze them, however, and their overall performance was not marred by them.The show did not disappoint, the music in particular was excellent, and many of the principals made the characters their own. This is the perfect Christmas treat for young and old fans of this traditional love story. Without the technical mishaps it might have been perfect.