The Tony- and Olivier Award-winning stage hit arrives in Brisbane and Melbourne next year.
Prepare to be swept off your feet as the Tony and Olivier Award-winning stage spectacle, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” graces Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in June 2024.
From the masterminds behind other stunning productions like “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Mary Poppins,” and “Frozen,” Disney’s new incarnation of “Beauty and the Beast” made its debut in Sydney this June and is now set to dazzle audiences in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
In February 2024, Brisbane will have the honour of experiencing this enchanting classic, while Melbourne will have to wait a bit longer, with its season scheduled for June 2024. It’s been nearly three decades since “Beauty and the Beast” last graced Melbourne’s stage, premiering in 1995, and this marks the musical’s debut in Brisbane.
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This enchanting and timeless tale has been brought to life in a reimagined production boasting all the spectacle and grandeur audiences know and love.
With glowing 5-star reviews from The Daily Telegraph, Guardian Australia, and Time Out Sydney, this production has been lauded for its cutting-edge technology, dazzling costumes, Broadway-style dance numbers, and the unforgettable music of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice, beautifully brought to life by a live orchestra.
President & Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, Thomas Schumacher, expressed his excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to return to Brisbane and Melbourne with Beauty and the Beast, as re-imagined by members of the brilliant original creative team. This beloved show – and Belle herself – are somehow as contemporary today as when the film premiered in 1991, even more meaningful to those who first discovered them decades ago and to new generations. Each time we’ve returned to Australia over the last quarter century we see audiences grow larger and more appreciative and the deep pool of extraordinary home-grown musical theatre talent grow even deeper. We cannot wait to bring this cherished story to two of our favourite Australian cities once more.”
“Beauty and the Beast” is a timeless classic that continues to touch the hearts of each new generation. Based on Disney’s 1991 animated film, the original production ran for over 13 years on Broadway, becoming one of the top 10 longest-running shows in Broadway history and touring in 37 countries worldwide. Audiences in Queensland and Victoria are in for a treat as they bask in the nostalgic songs of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice, including beloved classics like “Belle,” “Gaston,” “Human Again,” and “Be Our Guest.”
This cherished tale, melded with breathtaking new sets, costumes, and state-of-the-art technology, will come to life on stage with an all-Australian cast, featuring Shubshri Kandiah as Belle, Brendan Xavier as the Beast, and Rohan Browne as Lumiere.
Jackson Head will play Gaston, Gareth Jacobs will be Cogsworth, and Jayde Westaby will take on the role of Mrs. Potts. Nick Cox joins as Le Fou, and Rodney Dobson will portray Belle’s father, Maurice. The role of Babette will be played by Hayley Martin, and Alana Tranter will be Madame.
The original creative team from the groundbreaking Broadway musical has reunited to reimagine this classic. Olivier Award nominee Matt West takes the reins as director and choreographer, leading a team that includes the 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. This stellar team collectively received five Tony nominations, with a win for Hould-Ward’s costume design when Disney first brought “Beauty and the Beast” to Broadway 28 years ago.
To ensure you don’t miss this magical journey, a waitlist for tickets has been opened for both Queensland and Victoria here. For those in Brisbane, signing up before Friday, 13th October 2023, grants priority access to tickets with pre-sales beginning on Monday, 16th October 2023. Melbourne patrons can get early access by signing up before Friday, 10th November 2023, with pre-sales starting on Monday, 13th November 2023.
