Gavin Lee Archives - North West End UK

1Jul

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Beauty and the Beast – London Palladium

Extravagant. Exuberant. Exhilarating. I could expound so many other ‘E’s you’d feel as if you were on a hallucinogenic drug-induced trip. Which is exactly what it feels like watching the stupendously spectacular revival of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ The story needs no introduction, but if you’ve been hidden away for longer than the Covid pandemic, let me remind you: a handsome prince is rude to an old woman who turns him into a beast and the only way of escaping the spell is to find true love. In a nutshell, it’s a classic love story of finding beauty within. Fortunately for the audience, this production has beauty everywhere and I mean everywhere. It is stunning in its scenery (Stanley A. Meyer) and costumes (Ann Hould-Ward) and dripping with the sort of outrageously expensiv...

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Palace Theatre

7Apr

By Hazel BumbyNo Comments

North West

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Palace Theatre

Not entirely sure where to start with this at all. Oh, my word, from the welcome outside the theatre, red carpet treatment (technically for all the soap stars there, but we walked it anyway) a red rose per special guest/press and a small but scrummy rose fondant cupcake, to the buzz and excitement that seemed to be in every corner… As per usual The Palace Theatre is always on top note on press night and tonight was no exception. Well done to the Palace Theatre and your super staff. The show was incredible from start to finish and what a start it was with an incredibly famous voice kicking off the show off in style. The set was just wonderful with pieces moving seamlessly from one side to another either suspended in air or on the round. Sound and lighting were on point to...

Beauty and the Beast – Birmingham Hippodrome

10Mar

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Beauty and the Beast – Birmingham Hippodrome

Disney has, for many years, been synonymous with quality family entertainment with works dating way back into the early part of the twentieth century which have woven themselves into the hearts and minds of children creating classics loved by successive generations. In recent years many of those works have found themselves translated to stage versions proving themselves a further cash cow for Mickey. Some may say this is just cynical cash-in exploiting previous works, but, oh, no, not I. It’s nearly thirty years since Disney’s renaissance with Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King brought the eye of the world back to their work and proved even sans Walt this company was going places! The theatrical wing of the business has proved itself time and again where Disney’s he...

Beauty and the Beast – Edinburgh Playhouse

27Oct

By Beth EltringhamNo Comments

Scotland

Beauty and the Beast – Edinburgh Playhouse

"Be our guest" and so you should, this toe tapping bonanza of a musical is a treat for the eyes. Mixing pre-recorded projections, detailed set pieces of course some magic, this production is one for the whole family. The story follows a Selfish young Prince turned beast and a bookworm beauty who doesn't quite fit in and find herself pursued by a man who just can't take no for an answer. When her father is held prisoner by the beast, belle volunteers to take his place, thus beginning our love story. Of course, one cannot forget the merry band of living furniture who guide us along the way. Expect classics from Howard Ashman and Tim Rice such as: Beauty and the Beast, Be Our Guest, Human Again and Gaston. Casting for this production does not disappoint for the most part, with the r...

Falling in Love with Mr Dellamort – Broadway Podcast Network

12Aug

By Donna M DayNo Comments

REVIEWS

Falling in Love with Mr Dellamort – Broadway Podcast Network

Falling in Love with Mr Dellamort, written by Jack Feldstein (book and lyrics) and Paul Doust (music and lyrics), and directed by Ella Jane New, is an original Gothic dark comedy musical, which tells the story of the enigmatic and charming Mr Dellamort (James Monroe Iglehart) and his beautiful beachside South Carolina Guest House, Maison Dellamort. Shortly after Christmas, three unhappy people receive an unexpected invitation to spend the time between Christmas and New Year at Maison Dellamort. They are Barry Scott (Telly Leung), an enthusiastic fitness fanatic, Mina Thompson (Jackie Hoffman), a lonely serial divorcee, and Rhonda Lipson (Lena Hall) who is struggling with drug addiction. All three jump at the chance to escape their mundane lives and quickly fall for Mr Dellamort’s charm...

Casting announced for UK tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

1May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Casting announced for UK tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Disney’s Olivier Award-winning stage musical Beauty and the Beast today announces the cast to star in the re-imagined and re-designed new production. Staged by members of the original award-winning creative team, Beauty and the Beast will open a UK & Ireland Tour at The Bristol Hippodrome on Wednesday 25th August 2021. Courtney Stapleton and Emmanuel Kojo will play the iconic lead roles, Belle and her Beast, as spectacular new designs and state-of-the-art technology fuse with the classic story, bringing the beloved tale to new life. Courtney’s credits include Dear Evan Hansen, Six, Les Misérables and Bat Out of Hell, and Emmanuel is best known for performing in Oklahoma!, Girl from the North Country, Show Boat and The Scottsboro Boys. Also announced today are Gavin Lee (Mary ...