Trudie Lee
From Beauty and the Beast
Theatre Calgary’s goes Disney with predictably adorable results!
Looking for something to brighten your spirits? Then you’ll love Theatre Calgary’s extravagant production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Before you say “been there done that” though it is whole-heartedly based on the Academy Award-nominated animated film the production team cast and crew have clearly worked hard to ensure that the stage version offers much more than the film. Theatre Calgary’s Beauty and the Beast is co-produced with Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre and directed by Bob Baker its artistic director whose stamp of originality can be clearly seen.
For those of you who missed the film Beauty and the Beast tells the tale of a beautiful young girl who to save her father ends up living in the castle of a beast. He’s kinder than he might appear and by the end of the tale they’ve both professed their love and the beast changes back into his original form a prince. These basic elements appeared in the first version of the story written in France in 1740 and have been retained as the story has been retold hundreds of times in myriad ways. The original account was created to entertain members of the French salons but of course has always preserved the over-arching theme of looking past the surface to discover a person’s true self.
Naturally the Disney adaptation is no different on this account as all of the corporation’s films employ tangible moral messages. Comical characters and altered backstories appear to spice up the tale and the musical film easily enchanted viewers in the ’90s. The stage production bravely takes the story of the film to another level while still holding on to the elements that made the screen version charming. As the cartoonish set floats around the stage the audience is transported from the provincial town to the woods and the castle with seamless ease. The story unfolds with familiar songs as well as new ones adding further dimension to the personas of Belle and her beast. New musical numbers are also given to the irresistible furnishings of the enchanted castle and their plight is clearly expressed.
Overall the performance is a treat for young and old. The dancing ensemble is an absolute delight. Gaston’s confidence-boosting singalong in the pub is worth the ticket price. However the lovable characters from the castle including Babette the feather duster Cogsworth the clock and my personal favourite Lumière the candlestick holder stole the show. Lumière’s return to human form had us saying “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!”
When it comes to magic escapism and happy endings the Disney empire does it like no one else and don’t we all need some of that now and again?
