Beauty and The Beast

 Review by Paul Towers, 17/9/24

Beauty and The Beast – The Broadway Musical

Directed by Keiran Whelan-Newby

Produced by KW Productions

At The Little Theatre til Saturday 21^st September 2024

I have been seeing KW Production shows for the last 10 years and every show is bigger, better and more professional than the last. Their production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast is the most ambitious yet.

I am sure everyone knows the story of the petulant, over-privileged prince whose self-absorbed sense of entitlement leads him to ignore the plight of what he thinks is a lowly flower seller. His ignorance has consequences and he is turned into a monster, condemned to live in his isolated castle where even his servants have been turned into the objects they used. The only way the Beast can break the spell is to convince a girl to love him despite his appearance. That girl turns out to be Belle, a village girl similarly ostracised by her neighbours for treasuring books over people.

As The Beast Keiran Whelan-Newby uses his powerful voice to rattle the scenery with his rage at himself and everything around him. Rose Bale’s Belle is no walk over and The Beast has to work hard to win her over.

Of course anyone who has seen the film this show is based on is waiting for the animated pots and pans to provide the comedy and heart of the story. Lumiere (Simon Butler) has great fun as the Candelabra and Russell Webster’s Cogworth, the pessimistic Clock is well matched as his partner in crime. The other really memorable character is Mrs Potts (Siobhan Ball) the teapot and her son, Chip (a role shared by Edward Lander and Hollie Longley-Wilford). The villain of the piece, the predatory Gaston (Vaughan Barton-Ashcroft) has another great comedy partner in Lefou (Matt Barton-Ashcroft). This show has a huge cast of 27 including the ensemble and choreographer Caroline Walsh makes good use of the entire cast. There is much innovative and inventive animation designed by Joe Roberts which helps higher the production values. A live band of 11 is mostly hidden behind the scenery under the direction of Tim Stokes.

While Beauty and The Beast runs til Saturday 21^st September you are way too late to get tickets as the entire run is sold out.

https://thelittletheatre.co.uk/

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Witness For The Prosecution

Review by Paul Towers, 9/9/24

Witness For The Prosecution by Agatha Christie

Directed by Ruth Cheetham

Produced by Leicester Drama Society (LDS)

At The Little Theatre until Saturday 14^th September 2024

Witness For The Prosecution is arguably Agatha Christie’s perfect theatre production. Originating as a short story called Traitor’s Hands in 1925 it eventually was expanded to become the story we see on stage now. In typical Christie fashion the story has multiple plot twists and red herrings as the tale is played out mainly in the Old Bailey Court.

In 1953 wealthy Emily French is murdered. The newspapers carry appeals for witnesses and Leonard Vole (Freddie Dobrijevic) comes forward to protest his innocence. He is under suspicion because he has been visiting the elderly Miss French who has recently altered her will to make him her sole beneficiary.

The first act is taken up with Vole explaining to his brief Mr Mayhew (Jon Worthy) and Sir Wilfred Robarts QC (David Lovell) how he couldn’t possibly be guilty as he was at home with his wife Romaine (Leeann Rana). The full story is then explained in open court and witnesses start to be called as the prosecution outlines its case led by Mr Myers QC (Charles Moss).

In the second act, as the case continues, more witnesses are called and the plot twists ramp up until there are more red herrings than a Norwegian Fishing Trawler!

David Lovell’s Sir Wilfred has the showiest part as he tries to demolish the prosecution’s case while Leeanna Rana’s Romaine does a fine turn as a Germanic hysteric.

As is usual LDS have launched their new season with an Agatha Christie and Witness’s big cast is perfect for introducing lots of newer members to the stage.

Running til Saturday 14^th September Witness For The Prosecution is prime Christie. Grab a ticket and see if you can work out who dunnit. I bet you can’t.

Pics: Sally Evans

https://thelittletheatre.co.uk/

https://ptheatre.blogspot.com/