Almost three decades since its original Australian premiere in Melbourne, Disney’s new production of Beauty and the Beast had its first performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday 27th June 2024.
The enchanting and timeless tale of Belle and her Beast has been brought to life in a reimagined production boasting all the spectacle and grandeur audiences know and love. The incredible new production from the producers of Aladdin, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and Frozen officially opened at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday 29th June 2024.
Take a look at the breathtaking red-carpet premiere, hosted by the wonderful Olivia Molly Rogers on June 29, 2024.
The original Australian production opened at the Princess Theatre in 1995 starring Rachael Beck in the role of Belle, Michael Cormick as the Beast, a young Hugh Jackman as Gaston, and the late Bert Newton as Cogsworth. The production played for over two years across Melbourne and Sydney and won the 1996 ARIA Award for Best Australian Soundtrack/Cast/Show Release.
Beauty and the Beast is a much-loved classic that will fill the hearts of a new generation. Based on the 1991 animated film, the original production of Beauty and the Beast played for more than 13 years on Broadway, remaining to this day one of the top 10 longest running shows in Broadway history, and touring to 37 countries worldwide. Melbourne audiences will rejoice in the nostalgic and spellbinding songs of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice including Belle, Gaston, Human Again and Be Our Guest.
With spectacular new sets, costume designs and state-of-the-art technology fused with this beloved, classic story, the timeless romance is brought to life on stage by a stellar Australian cast, starring Shubshri Kandiah as Belle and Brendan Xavier as Beast. Enchanted characters Lumiere and Cogsworth will be played by Melbourne locals Rohan Browne and Gareth Jacobs, both hailing from Seaford. Jayde Westaby will perform the role of the iconic Mrs. Potts, and Jackson Head will play Gaston, a role famously performed by Hugh Jackman in 1995 in his first professional role. Other Victorian cast members include Southbank-based Nick Cox as Le Fou, Wonthaggi-born Rodney Dobson as Belle’s father, Maurice, and Melbourne locals Alana Tranter as Madame and Hayley Martin in the role of Babette.
The ensemble/swings consist of: Tanika Anderson, Richard Astbury, Sarah Bourke, Cameron Boxall, William Brougham, Virginia Cashmere, Emily Corkeron, Phoebe Coupe, Emma Dawson, Amba Fewster, Anthony Garcia, Luke Haberecht, Tim Haskayne, Amy Hopwood, Brady Kitchingham, Chloe Malek, Rubin Matters, Ryan Ophel, Bree Stephens, Anthony Sheppard, Luke Ward, Grace Williams.
Members of the creative team from the original, ground-breaking Broadway musical have returned to reimagine this classic tale. Olivier Award nominee Matt West directs and choreographs, leading a team that includes original composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, scenic designer Stan Meyer, costume designer Ann Hould-Ward and lighting designer Natasha Katz. The team collectively received five Tony® nominations and a win for Hould-Ward’s costume design, when Disney first debuted Beauty and the Beast on Broadway 28 years ago.
Tickets are on sale now for performances until 29th December 2024, exclusively through www.beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au.
