I got here by accident, I was browsing the Old Rep Theatre’s Website, a Birmingham theatre but one I had never been to. I saw this show being advertised and booked myself to go along.
This was a production by the talented students of Birmingham BOA Creative, Digital & Performing Arts Academy.
I wasn’t sure from the website, was it an amateur production, was it professional. I just knew it wasn’t a Disney production. I read more about the Theatre, showcasing how they support children and young people. I then looked at the production images and before I clicked, figured out it would be a young people’s production.
I used to be in Youth Theatre many years ago and know how important that time was for me, it increased my confidence and built up my friendship circles.
I bought a programme and could see the cast were alternating, I apparently was seeing Cast Group A tonight.
From the Go, the class ensemble and also Belle’s sisters were full of energy and their acting was superb.
I thought Ross Baxter playing Roland was fantastic, as well as Connie Sharpe playing Izzy. They brought their characters to life and added humour into the show.
The role of Belle was played by Mabel Edwards and The Beast by Cameron Dews both of whom played the parts excellently. Cameron had a fantastic singing voice.
I absolutely was blown away by the acting from the Beast’s internal staff, which were Luca-James Tweddle, Molly Russell, Anna Watkins and Isabelle Bracebridge-Henderson, Sienna Renshaw and Hannah Tideswell. Please never say to me Birmingham doesn’t have talent. It’s there, on stage, right now all the way till the 16th December!
In terms of scenery, it was much better than I expected and the lighting effects were good. However my only criticism is that the strobe lighting to represent the thunder/lighting was a little too much!
Some of the people on stage will be tomorrow’s West end Stars and we should be fully supporting them in their journey’s.
I might come back to the show so I can see some of the alternative cast members in this production.
My overall impression was better than what I expected, don’t expect the traditional Beauty and the Beast songs. This is an original production based on the story of Beauty and the Beast. The acting, singing and choreography were superb. Lots of backstage crew from the college were also involved and well done to them all. ( BOA Stage & Screen Production Academy)
I will certainly be back to this Theatre.
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