The reviews are coming in for 'The Tale of the Beauty and the Tail of the Beast' in Wellingborough following last night's Press Night ...
The BBC said ...
(Reviewed by Martin Borley)
An 18th Century theatrical troupe transports The Castle audience into a magical world. Forget the Disney version. Beauty & The Beast at The Castle is more magical. The audience is transfixed by a fairy-tale world conjured up by a talented group of actors and musicians. The show is set 300 years ago. A troupe of travelling players is rehearsing stories to a group of children. By using songs, costumes, props and shadow puppets, the players bring to life the weird and wonderful tales.
I lost count how many musical instruments are played during the show. There are strange-looking horns, flutes, gongs and even a harpsichord. The musicians are on stage amongst all the action, and from time to time the main actors join in by playing a violin or plucking a lyre.
Paul Boyd's script and music is stylish (and wordy at times) but there were a number of jokes to amuse children and adults. He's gone back to the original fairy tale. Don't go expecting a pantomime. There's not even a hint of Christmas during the show and no hissing or booing. Audience participation is just clapping along to the catchy songs.
In recent years, Christmas shows at The Castle have been rough and ready and bright and brash. The Castle's new artistic director Karl Wallace, who's also the director of Beauty & the Beast, has single-handedly raised the standard. His production is sophisticated and atmospheric - the sort of quality we'd normally associate with Northampton's Royal Theatre.
The Stage said ...
(Reviewed by Caroline Morris)
What a delight to see a new production of this wonderful tale taking the original storyline. The stage is dominated by a magnificent and brilliantly used gypsy-type caravan, with travelling players telling the story accompanied by musicans chiefly on old English instruments. It is traditional, captivating storytelling with refreshing staging, humour and superb acting.
Without doubt, this is a production for the young at heart of all ages - but perhaps not the very young. The highlight of the musical numbers is Maybe I’m a Fool, featuring Lauren Adams as Marie and Ben Sleep as the Beast. Adams in particular has a West End musical type of voice, which she uses to wonderful effect in this production.
Jemma Harris as Didi brims over with character, humour and facial interpretation, and Vanessa Havell plays the drunken and humourous Mimi. Oliver Hume is the vastly adaptable Monsieur Affable. Congatulations go to Karl Wallace for his first production as artistic director - more of the same next year please.
The BBC also interviewed the audience as they were leaving the theatre to hear their views on the show. Listen by following the link here.
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06/12/07 @ 16:23