With its spellbinding transformations, wild waltzes and visually striking set, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s dark and haunting rendition of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is wonderfully magical
The story of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST may be a tale as old as time but Birmingham Royal Ballet’s rendition of this classic fairy tale is certainly a lot darker than the enchanting tale we all remember.
Based on the French fairy tale of the same name, BEAUTY AND BEAST tells the story of a cruel Prince cursed to spend the rest of his life living in a fantastical castle with the animals he callously hunted. After caught stealing a single rose, Belle’s desperate father exchanges his youngest daughter’s freedom for his own life. Stripped of his handsome features and his very humanity, the Beast must win Belle’s heart or spend the rest of his life in bitter solitude.
If at this point you’re expecting Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production to be similar in style to Disney’s famous film then you’ll be in for a shock here. There’s no magical teapot, singing candelabra or slighted love interest to be seen here. In fact, there is little to connect this production to the cartoon film other than the title and the two main characters. Instead, David Bintley’s ballet is much closer to the original story, delivering a darker, deeper and somewhat tortured side to the famous tale.
It is, however, as visually arresting with Philip Prowse’s darkly gothic set design cleverly evoking a feeling of decaying grandeur in the Beast’s castle and Mark Jonathan’s innovative lighting design making good use of light and shadow to great atmospheric effect. Like Bintley’s previous production of CINDERELLA, there are also a few magical touches here and there, as an enchanted armchair wraps its arms around Belle’s father and candelabra magically erupts into light.
But, of course, the real magic is in the choreography with Yvette Knight proving a wistful, charming and bookish Belle, epitomising the classic picture of a ballerina with her flawless pirouettes and well-honed characterisation. Brandon Lawrence is equally memorising in his role as the enchanted beast, bringing strength and power to the role, as he captures Belle’s – and the audience’s heart – in the pas de deux at the end of the first act.
It’s also not all doom and gloom with Monsieur Cochon (James Barton), a rich suitor for Belle’s sisters, and Fiere (Laura Purkiss) and Vanite (Samara Downs) as Belle’s siblings, providing some light comic relief with their slapstick-style performances.
In fact, the only real disappointment is Glenn Buhr’s score which, while beautifully played by Royal Ballet Sinfonia under Paul Murphy’s direction, is ultimately unmemorable.
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s BEAUTY AND THE BEST may be deeper, darker and more haunting than Disney’s version but thanks to its spellbinding transformations, wild waltzes and visually striking sets, it’s still as wonderfully magical.
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST runs at The Lowry, Salford until 23 March 2019
Donna is the Founder and Editor of Frankly, My Dear UK. By day, she works as a digital marketing specialist, by night she reviews film, theatre and music for a wide range of publications including WhatsonStage and The Reviews Hub. Loves Formula 1, prosecco and life.
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