Heart-warming, visually stunning and highly impressive
Presented by: Disney Theatrical Group
Reviewed: 10 May, 2025
There has been a lot of excitement building in Adelaide ever since Disney Theatrical Group announced that Beauty and the Beast would arrive in town for the very first time. This production is world-class and is Disney at its very best. This lavish production is nothing short of spectacular.
For those of us who grew up watching the 1991 Disney animation, this production is full of nostalgia. Starting with the late, great Angela Lansbury’s voice over in the prologue, to the iconic characters and Alan Menken’s incredible score, the memories flood back.
No expense has been spared with this production. From the innovative and creative set design and emotive lighting design, to the exquisite costuming, Beauty and the Beast is an absolute show-stopper of a production.
Beauty and the Beast is based on the fairy tale by French author Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont and tells the story of a prince who has been magically transformed into a beast by an enchantress for his selfish ways. In order to return to his human form the beast must learn to love, and be loved in return.
The cast of the Australian tour is sensational. The hard-working ensemble is sensational. Vocally faultless and with equally perfectly executed choreography, this ensemble is impressive to watch and listen to. There is no weak link amongst them, with each bringing energy by the bucketloads.
In the lead role of Belle, Shubshri Kandiah is a real life Disney Princess through and through. You are drawn to her whenever she is on stage and her voice is sublime. She has a wonderful story-telling approach to her vocal numbers, especially in Home and A Change In Me. Kandlah has found a wonderful warmth in the role, bringing through the caring and nurturing side of Belle magnificently. However, she knows how to quickly turn this around on the Beast when need be. As her father Maurice, Rodney Dobson is a perfect match. He toes the line between eccentric inventor and dithery old man perfectly. The scenes between Kandlah and Dobson are heart-warming and there is a wonderful father/daughter chemistry between them.
Brendan Xavier as the Beast is vocally exquisite. His act one finale number, If I Can’t Love Her is emotionally charged and you hang on his every note. There are moments in Xavier’s performance where character choices do feel over-done, which detracts from the fierceness of the beast, leaning instead to more of a spoilt prince tantrum. As the beast, Xavier’s physical appearance and movement is excellent.
The beloved servants in the Beast’s castle are brilliant. Rohan Browne as Lumiere is walking sex on a candle-stick, oozing charm and charisma. Vocally, Browne is stunning and he knows how to draw so much out of a character. Gareth Jacobs as Cogsworth is perfectly up-tight and comes close to stealing scenes with his brilliant comedic timing. Hayley Martin and Alana Tranter are delightful as Babette and Madame. Vocally, they are wonderful and they bring excellent character work to the castle scenes. Jayde Westaby is perfectly cast as Mrs Potts. She brings so much warmth to the role and her performance of the title song Beauty and the Beast is simply stunning. Rounding out the household characters is Jared Bickerton as Chip. What a wonderful voice this young up-and-coming performer has. He brings bucket loads of cuteness to the role and his smile is so big, its warmth floods the Festival Theatre.
As Gaston, Jackson Head has captured the brawn and lack of brain of the character perfectly. With the looks of a young Jim Carrey, Head never overdoes the acting side of Gaston. Vocally, his baritone voice has a gorgeous liquid tone and you can be excused for sighing along with his female hangers-on. As Gaston’s side-kick, Adam Di Martino as Le Fou brings the comic relief perfectly. He plays this role with a real sense of innocence, so you instantly feel sorry for him when something works against him.
Matt West’s choreography is sensational. The act one show stoppers, Gaston and Be Our Guest are huge highlights of Beauty and the Beast. All the technical elements of Beauty and the Beast are worth the ticket price alone, especially Jim Steinmeyer’s mind-boggling illusion designs. The opening few moments of the show leave you speechless as cast members transform in the blink of an eye and levitate. The beast’s transformation at the end of the show has the audience gasping in disbelief.
Music Director Luke Hunter has worked with his orchestra brilliantly. Alan Menken’s lush, emotive score is in safe hands with Hunter. Beauty and the Beastis personally one of my favourite theatre scores, and it was a real treat to hear this handled with such care. Special mention must go to the brass and horn section who played some of the most wonderful countermelodies in the score with marvellous control.
Beauty and the Beast is simply a visual and aural treat for all ages. The story is heart-warming, the staging is stunning and the cast are impressive. This production is a must see.
Tickets are on sale now for performances until 6th July 2025, exclusively via www.beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au .
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Venue: Adelaide Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: Until July 6
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes (includes one 20-minute interval)
Tickets: From $85 (plus booking fees)
Bookings: www.beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au
Photo credit: Daniel Boud
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