Review: Beauty and The Beast at Crown Theatre
Beauty and the Beast at Crown Theatre
Monday, July 28, 2025
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast live musical at Crown Theatre does not disappoint. You can guarantee that Disney die-hards who can recite the story line-for-line or sing along with every vocal flourish will still be absolutely delighted. Prepare to enjoy the wonder and awe on a loved one’s face who might be experiencing the nearly 4,000-year-old tale for the first time (apparently researchers can trace the origins of this story that far back).
The plot is pretty much a carbon copy of the 1991 animated blockbuster most of us would remember, but when brought to life on stage, it is a magical spectacle of live-action entertainment—even down to the perfumed scent being pumped into the air.
Given how beloved these characters are—and how easily a misstep could disrupt deeply held childhood (or grown-up) memories—the cast deserves full credit for courageously taking on the challenge of bringing them to life on stage.
Shubshri Kandiah’s Belle is full of warmth, kindness, and an earnest longing for much more than her little village can provide. Rohan Brown’s Lumiere, Gareth Jacobs’ Cogsworth, and Jade Westaby’s Mrs. Potts each deliver warmth in tender moments and laughter when required. It’s staggering how Brown and Westaby can hold up their arms for so long in costume as a candelabra and teapot, respectively—especially when Lumiere has flames for hands, and Mrs. Potts might spill boiling hot tea anytime she gestures to anyone.
Hayley Martin’s Babette is just as racy and full of bubbly fun, as is Alana Tranter’s Madame. Chip, played by a rotating cast of young actors, is a little odd because they’re confined to a trolley for the entirety of the show—which makes you wonder if the character is actually an animatronic being. Rodney Dobson’s portrayal of Maurice is delightfully kooky, and though his trusty horse Phillipe is absent, he’s replaced with a hilarious modern alternative.
It’s the male leads who have space to give a little more oomph. Brendan Xavier’s Beast could be ghastlier, Jackson Head’s Gaston could be haughtier, and Adam Di Martino’s Le Fou could’ve been a little more weaselly. Having said that, each actor isn’t far off from being able to stun us with their roar, nauseate us with their narcissism, or annoy us with their bumbling scheming.
Lastly, let’s not forget the songs! The key hits, Belle, Gaston, and Be Our Guest, are large and bright and choreographed to wow. These boisterous numbers are full to the brim with hand-clapping and foot-stomping audience participation. The romantic numbers fill the theatre with aching beauty and an amazing kaleidoscope of special effects on stage. The musical’s main theme—Beauty and the Beast, or the unofficial title Tale as Old as Time—elicits an audible exhale from the crowd. As expected, the music is cracking.
Beauty and the Beast is exactly what you’d hope for from a multi-billion-dollar mega-franchise. And even if you know the story inside and out, the live stage musical will still find ways to surprise and delight you.
KAVI GUPPTA
Photos by Daniel Boud
