'Beauty and the Beast': More for the children

Beauty and the Beast in a dance number

THE timeless tale of Beauty and the Beast is indeed one of the most beloved stories of all time, about true love prevailing against all odds.

Gaston sings of his admiration for Belle

This classic folk story which dates back to 16th century Europe was first turned into a French film entitled La Belle et la Bete in 1946 but most of us will remember being enchanted by Disney’s critically acclaimed 1991 Oscar-winning animated version.

Oppa Gaston Style! A parody of Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’

For those itching to watch it performed live in sing-a-long musical production, keep an open mind as a revamped version currently being staged here has a baffling modern twist and even an “oppa gangnam” surprise.

Beauty and The Beast — The Musical is Sunway Lagoon’s latest offering from London’s famous West End theatre district and is on until the end of the year at The Amphitheatre at Surf Beach in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya.

This is the second musical production to be staged at Sunway Lagoon in tandem with the theme park’s 20th anniversary festivities this year and is the first time a production there has featured live musicians.

Directed by Chris Colby, this 70-minute musical in two acts features a cast of West End thespians, namely, Emily Juniper as the lovely village girl Belle, Hamilton Sargent in the role of the Prince/Beast and Gareth Heeson as ever-so-macho Gaston.

The wicked witch

In supporting roles are Annie Horn as the Fairy, Amanda Salmon as the Witch and Christopher Molloy as Belle’s father Pierre.

While this musical has been specially produced to suit local audiences, the original story is still retained in which a prince has been turned into a beast by a witch who gives him a mystical rose to which his curse is bound — and if he’s unable to love and be loved in return before the last petal falls, he’s doomed to live the rest of his days as a beast.

Gaston is sexy and he knows it, a musical spoof of LMFAO’s ‘Sexy And I Know It’

When Belle, the beautiful and witty village girl crosses paths with the Beast, will she be able to love him for who he is before he runs out of petals?

Beauty and The Beast — The Musical has its charm and moments of excitement. However, this writer feels this production caters more for children than adults.

During the musical, there was a moment where it seemed as though we were watching an episode of Dora the Explorer when Belle, Pierre and Gaston were lost in the spooky woods and began repetitively asking audiences if they had seen a ghost.

Furthermore, there wasn’t that “magical spark” many of us will remember from the Disney version, which was lost from the modern song choices used for the musical numbers. It was especially bemusing when Gaston parodied Psy’s Gangnam Style in a musical number (kudos to Heesom for performing the song entirely in Korean).

Many, especially children, were nonetheless excited and got up to dance and ride on their buttshaking invisible horses.

Still, the musical had its enjoyable and fun moments such as when the cast performed the highly-energetic Be Our Guest number and later, a heart-warming duet between the Beast and Belle of the title track of the Disney film Beauty and the Beast.

For those who would like to give this musical a chance, the shows are staged daily (no performances on Wednesdays) at 8pm until Dec 31. Tickets from RM90 to RM180 for adults and RM70 to RM150 for children. — All pictures by FIRDAUS LATIF

Backstage with a beauty, a beast and an alpha male

THE Malay Mail Lifestyle had a chat with British actors Emily Juniper (as Belle), Hamilton Sargent (Prince/Beast) and Gareth Heesom (Gaston).

Be Our Guest!

MM: YOUR THOUGHTS ON YOUR ROLE?

JUNIPER: I can relate to Belle as we are a similar age, our personalities are not dissimilar.

I really love playing this character.

I also feel Belle is a very determined young lady, also like myself.

SARGENT: I think everyone can relate to the Beast as well as we all have our dark and light moments. I’m a beast first thing in the morning.

MM: ANY CHALLENGES GETTING INTO CHARACTER?

Pierre, Belle and Gaston lost in the woods

SARGENT: The Prince/Beast is a challenging role as it’s two roles in one — I wanted to make a definite distinction between the two vocally and physically. The Beast’s costume is heavy and hot and this is demanding when you have to sing a high song or more a lot.

The role requires a lot of focus. As the Beast, the mask means I cannot use facial expressions at all so I have to use my body a lot to act.

MM: THE SCRIPT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL FAIRY TALE...

JUNIPER: The show has been specially written for Malaysia which I feel makes it very personal for the audience, especially the children.

SARGENT: I think this new production is very imaginative and pulls in modern elements combining this with more traditional and Disney elements which makes it an exciting version of a classic tale.

HEESOM: The re-imagined idea behind this piece brings the piece closer to modern day with modern songs which the audience can relate to and enjoy.

MM: FAVOURITE SCENE/MUSICAL NUMBER FROM THIS PRODUCTION?

SARGENT: I love to sing Go the Distance as it’s my first appearance as the Beast and lets the audience into his world immediately.

HEESOM: Gangnam Style! The audience’s reaction is always amazing.

JUNIPER: My favourite scene to perform is Beauty and the Beast — Tale as old as time as it is such an iconic number and is what the show is famous for. My favourite song to sing is Let me be your star.

Cast performing the title song ‘Beauty and the Beast’

MM: ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO FALL IN LOVE... WITH A BEAST PERHAPS?

JUNIPER: In this modern age everyone is obsessed with looks. It’s good to remind people that looks aren’t anything.

Don’t judge a book by its cover and love will conquer all.

HEESOM: There’s far too much emphasis on the aesthetics of a person. It’s about what’s inside that count. Just love like you’ve never loved before.

SARGENT: No matter how much you may get hurt in the past, always risk opening your heart back up. Falling in love is one of the biggest gifts in life.

MM: YOUR FAVOURITE FAIRY TALE OR MUSICAL?

JUNIPER AND SARGENT: Beauty and the Beast!

HEESOM: Once Upon A Time as the new ABC series is amazing and has all the fairy tale characters with modern twists, and favourite musical is Parade.