Arts Club Presents Beauty and the Beast

Warren Kimmel and Amy Wallis
Photo by David Cooper

In the car on the way to The Stanley this evening to see Disney’s Beauty and the Beast my sister had to fill me in on the story. Being the mother of four children she can pretty much recite any Disney movie by heart (and she knows The Little Mermaid verbatim).

The tale was unfamiliar to me however seeing as this is one of the most anticipated theatre experiences in Vancouver each year, I knew I was in for a treat regardless (and all the tunes would send the memories flooding back in no time).

The musical contains the songs from the Disney film (lyrics by Tim Rice) and the performers brought every word to life with their beautiful, powerful, and playful melodies. The entire stage was able to rotate in the centre allowing for the easy flow of scene and backdrop changes and the costumes once again were divine.

Jonathon Winsby and the cast of the Arts Club Theatre Company’s
production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Photo by David Cooper

Photo by David Cooper

My niece (age eight) came along with us and I caught her giggling on more than one occasion – she particularly liked Cogsworth and Lumiere’s interactions and humour. We all loved the singing and the cast was spot-on.

Each night at the theatre in Vancouver is different, from the pre-show meal to the stage settings and audiences. It’s a great way to spend an evening, be entertained, and take the kids out to some place other than the mall this season. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast runs until January 4th, 2009 and it’s one of two holiday offerings from the Arts Club.

As a side note, one lucky winner at the Best of 604 awards reception will be receiving two tickets to this very production of Beauty and the Beast courtesy of The Arts Club.