* A scene from the Young 'Uns production of Beauty and the Beast.
A talented cast from Llangollen Operatic Society’s junior
section, the Young ‘Uns, turned in a monster of a production of of Disney
musical Beauty and the Beast for three
nights at the Town Hall, from Thursday-Saturday.
Saturday’s capacity audience was entranced by the fairy tale
of the handsome prince turned into a hairy critter with attitude by a
vindictive witch, who makes a triumphant return to humanity thanks to the love
of a good woman.
The guy with extreme anger management issues, big-time
facial hair and a mane of hair like a 70s rock star was superbly played by Wilf
Wort who expertly turned snarls to simpers after developing a crush on the Beauty
of the title, Belle. She was portrayed with great sensitivity by Jessica
Cockburn.
But it wasn’t just the prince who fell victim to the wicked witch’s
powers. The old crone also turned the staff at his castle into a range of
domestic oddities, including a big talking teapot, a chatty candelabra, a
walking wardrobe, a speaking clock and a big feather duster, all of whom can
only become human again if their master falls in love.
These animated household objects provided a big slice of the
action, a lot of the singing and a fair
bit of the humour of the piece.
They were masterfully interpreted by, respectively, Louise
Cielecki and Nathan Lloyd – two Young ‘Uns stalwarts who are consistently
brilliant in every role they take on – a sparkling Polly Harrison, a marvellous
Meg Howlett and Carys Stallard, who provided plenty of French ooh lah lah.
Gaston, the creepy egomaniac who fancies Belle himself and
therefore does his best to ruin her budding romance with the Beast, was played
to perfection by a strutting Nathan Hughes.
He got the most mileage possible out of lines like, “Belle
and I would be a perfect match – like my thighs”.
As Maurice, Belle eccentric father, was the extravagantly bewigged Adam Goff, who is always good value for money.
As usual, the principal cast members received strong backing
from a massive number of chorus members ranging from teens to tinies who all
put loads of enthusiasm into their roles of whatever size.
Behind the stage was another army of helpers who handled
everything from costumes and make-up to choreography and lighting.
Particularly impressive were the sets, created and painted
by another large team of back-stage magicians headed up by Emma-Jo Newton, who was
also stage manager. The labyrinthine archways of the beast’s castle were particularly
realistic looking.
Musical direction of a four-strong live orchestra was under
the capable baton of Elen Mair Roberts and the whole show was a credit to
co-producers Tess Orton-Jones and Michael Jones and artistic co-directors
Deirdre (D) Smith and Bethan Williams.
·
Llangollen Operatic Society’s next production is
Anything Goes, at the Town Hall from April
16-20.
