Beauty and The Beast
6th December 2007 - 3rd February 2008
“A life filled with love must have some thorns, but a life empty of love will have no roses”
Anon
An enchanted castle where nothing is quite as it seems, a girl fulfills a terrible promise, and echoes abound of the beast within…
“Beauty and the Beast” is a classic tale of magical transformation and the power of true love. Proteus created a brand new version for anyone aged 5 and upwards that takes you to the heart of this classic tale. Beautiful, exciting, funny and heartwarming, ‘Beauty and the Beast' continues proteus ' innovative approach to creating family shows, mixing multi-media, music and circus techniques, an approach seen in their previous sell-out tour of ‘Peter Pan'.
Cast & Production Team
Mary Rose - Belle, Cynthia
John Samuel Worsey - Beast, Johann Alekan, Jaques
Clive Holland - Belle's Father, Ted, Butler, Jean
Hannah Seaton - Scarlet
Directed by Mary Swan
Designed by Sam Pine
Devised by The Company
Music performed, written & produced by Paul Wild
Lighting Design by Simon Beckett
Multi-Media by Rob Thrush fpr Chard House Media
Choreography by Joe Harman for Fiesta Dance School
Reviews and Comments
"Another outstanding production from Proteus"
The Stage on 'Beauty and the Beast', winter tour 2007/08
"Probably the best show yet from Proteus"
Venue Promoter on 'Beauty and the Beast', winter tour 2007/08
The Stage
Monday 17th December, 2007
Another outstanding production from Proteus and they again prove how important it is to take top quality professional shows into small venues.
The intimacy of the Studio Theatre is so ideal for this intriguing show. The opening, from within the audience, sets the mood for two hours of constant action. This is not a pantomime-style production and there are only two real moments when the youngsters can really join in, but they are mesmerised by the story and the two puppets, Jean and Jacques, are such a delight for the young at heart.
The simple yet highly effective set is superbly utilised by the four brilliant actors and they have diversified in so many directions. Clive Hollad, who excels as Ted, the butler and Belle's Father, is expertly cast and his comedy moments are amoung the highlights of the show. His facial expressions create so much pleasure. John Samuel Worsey achieves so much sympathy as the Beast and his final transformation scene is worked well. He also has much fun as Johann Alekan.
Mary Rose is excellent as both Cynthia and Belle in hugely contrasting roles. Hannah Seaton impresses as Scarlet and her change of personality, within her character, must make an impression on the youngsters.
The music, by Paul Wild, is another reason why this is such an appealing show. The work load for the four actors would put some hugely paid performers to shame.
By John Hannam
