In the sweltering heat the audience of Woodseats Musical Theatre Company’s production of Beauty and the Beast blazed into Sheffield town and the Montgomery Theatre, inviting us to be there guests and subsequently delighted all.
With an impressive creation team – book by Linda Woolverton, Music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Howard Ashman and the legendary Tim Rice. Woodseats did a fine job without the big budget set and scenery to create a beguiling ‘Tale as old as time’. As Director/Musical Director Rowan Alfred does a good job to steer the production’s legendary tale – this was no mean feat at times with nothing more than limited back projection and a rear dais with a central set of four steps. The actors were very much carrying the entire storytelling and did so with a very strong principal cast. Phoebe Phillips in her first choreographic outing with Woodseats does a noteworthy job with the large ensemble and the whole cast numbers are both full of meaning and energetically exciting to witness. Nick Davies’ vocal coaching ensured the chorus numbers were slick and had a wholesome and full bodied quality. The 10-piece band gave the vocalists every opportunity to shine and the musicians filled the auditorium with the popular musical standards we all know so well. Their sound was authentic and rich and they must be congratulated not only in performance but also coping in the cramped Orchestra Pit in that heat!
This show is very much lead by Belle, almost continuously on stage, Orlaith Day in the role was certainly up to the task. This young actress has the exquisite ‘Belle’ quality of calm elegance. Her acting is emotive and expressive in equal measures and her singing voice commands recognition, ‘Home’ was far more than just words sung! Perfect casting of a very capable and beguiling performer and one I hope to see more of. Jacob Boulton as the Beast donned a very convincing costume and his demeanour was the desired mix of aggression and vulnerability. Boulton handled the ‘softening’ of his character with consistency and flair and his vocal performance particularly in ‘If I Can’t Love Her’ strengthened his performance. The two titled characters had a lovely connection on stage and the chemistry was almost tangible at times. This was purposely in great contrast to the relationship between Belle and Gaston (Alex Hayward- Brown), who were obviously polar opposites and Hayward-Brown made sure that was the case, a strong performance with a booming ‘Gaston’ vocal.
Lumiere (Peter Krajewski) had to be my favourite servant at the Beasts castle. A stunning performance, his French accent never faltered and his command of the stage was evident and assured. It was his relationship with Babette played by Hollie White that raised more than a little titter from the audience and the pair were collectively exceptional in their roles. Thomas Galwey’s Cogsworth gained the sympathy of the audience with a solid performance of the woeful clock. Becky Jones’ Mrs Potts gave us a good rendition of the classic Beauty and the Beast and little Henry White as her little Chip was a delight, with much energy and professionalism way above his tender years. Belle’s father Maurice (Paul Mullens) gave an emotive depiction of his character and the comedy of Madame De La Grande Bouche (Carolyn Bean) with her strong operatic voice was very much on display as was Peter Reed’s LeFou comedic skills.
This Principal cast dealt will with the lack of set and that couldn’t have been an easy task, unfortunately it did cause a few unclear moments when it was difficult to follow the story, particularly when the Beast takes Belle to see his surprise for her in the castle. Maybe the ensemble could have helped out here? But budgets as they are in amateur dramatic societies, I certainly understand the reasons for this and it didn’t detract from the stellar production.
What more evidence do you need than … I took along my 8 year Old Granddaughter to see the production and she sat transfixed throughout the show – a big deal for her and her fidget bum! She grabbed my hand when the Beast roared and was angry and smiled tenderly at Belle, laughed at Lumiere and oh, decided she wanted to play Chip as well! And not forgetting she sang along to Be our guest!
Well Done Woodseats on a successful family show with strong acting performances, some lovely ensemble and solo singing and a band that sounded really good and finally may I thank you for your invite to ‘be your guest’, I enjoyed the whole evening and every course was delicious! Woodseats Musical theatre Company’s Beauty and the Beast is at the Montgomery Theatre, Sheffield until Saturday 11th July 2026 and I thoroughly recommend you gather the family and spend the evening witnessing a Tale as Old as time.
Reviewed: Tracey Bell
Reviewed: 8th July 2026
North West End UK Rating: