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Beauty and the Beast
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Birmingham Hippodrome
*****
From start to finish Beauty and the Beast
at Birmingham Hippodrome has the audience transfixed and transformed
into this gothic fairy tale of exquisite ballet, grandeur and
composition.
The impeccable flow of movement and rhythm stems
from the working collaboration between choreographer, designer and
composer. Superbly choreographed by David Bintley, he chose to encourage
Canadian composer Glen Buhr to write his first ever ballet score. The
first scene is mesmerising as Belle, Momoko Hirata, is elevated in her
library, the set design by Philip Prowse just oozed opulence.
It was no surprise to see Bintley on the edge of
his seat watching the performance as he prepares to step down as
director at the end of the 2018/19 season this year.
After being director of Birmingham Royal Ballet
for 24 years it was clear to see his passion and enthusiasm emanating as
he watched in anticipation with a look of sheer joy. Bintley created
this ballet in 2003 and was delighted to revive it and it is glaringly
obvious why.
A cruel prince who lived for hunting is cursed by
a Woodsman, Rory Mackay, and turned into a monstrous beast. His prey, a
vixen, Laura Day, is transformed into a Wild Girl, Miki Mizutani.
Belle’s father, a merchant, fears his ships lost so accepts money from
Cochon, Kit Holder, who has been courting Belle’s two hideously greedy
sisters and then is indebted to him for his weakness.
When Belle’s father, Michael O’Hare discovers the
ships have been sighted he sets off to recover his fortune and the two
sisters Fiere, Ruth Brill and Vanite, Alys Shee, demand gowns and jewels
on his return but Belle simply asks for a single rose.
At the Beast’s Castle where the merchant ends up
during a storm in desperation after falling prey to a gang of brigands
and losing his servants, he takes refuge only to be served food and
drink by unseen hands. The clever set design provides the perfect
sinister angle as furniture moves of its own accord and wine is poured
into ornate goblets as if by magic.
Mark Jonathan’s lighting is dark and mysterious
and as the merchant leaves with treasure and a full belly, he remembers
the rose for Belle. The Beast becomes angry at his intrusion and the
merchant agrees that Belle will come and live with The Beast, Cesar
Morales, as compensation.
One of my favourite scenes in the first Act is
the Birds of the Forest who carry Belle back to the Beast’s Castle with
the Raven, Lachlan Monaghan and the Wild Girl. The seemingly continuous
choreography is a sight to be seen and truly out of this world with
lighting, again, playing an important part of setting the atmosphere.
In the Act two the hilarious wedding scene for
the two sisters is vulgar and tacky with an amusing performance by
Grandmere, Laura Purkiss, who manages to hobble around with her walking
stick but Monsieur Cochon struggles to choose between the two
brides-to-be.
Despite numerous proposals for marriage by the
Beast to Belle, Belle decides to leave and go home on the condition she
returns soon to mend his broken heart. Belle realises her love for the
Beast and the curse is lifted and they live happily ever after and walk
off into the sunset as he is turned back into a handsome prince.
BRB’s Beauty and the Beast has it all, an
incredible score, beautiful choreography, costumes and a set so lavish
and sumptuous you are magically transported into the castle and forest
by simply sitting down and watching the curtain rise. Perfect for all
the family. To 02-03-18.
Emma Trimble
20-02-19
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