Beauty and the Beast

Dominion Theatre, London (13 May 1997 - 11 December 1999)

This Disney classic was the second animation to be made into a live stage musical by Disney Theatricals, and was a storming success. The production was epic. The backstage areas had to be expanded to accommodate the huge number (and size) of costumes. An extra multi-floor section was built onto the theatre to house costumes, wig department and laundry facilities. The section is still in use today on We Will Rock You.

Sound:

• As well as the usual radio mics on all actors, the Beast and Belle wore two mics (as backup), and cartoon-style sound effects (punch, whoosh etc) were played live by an operator in a small room off the downstage left wing.

Pyrotechnics:

• The enchantress shoots a fireball (specially made by Le Maitre) from her wand, made from a wire frame containing flash paper.
• The Lumiere candle effects were gas-powered and contained elaborate safety mechanisms that extinguished the flame if the performers arms dropped too low. The heavy mechanisms demanded strong forearms.

Automation:

• The Beasts castle was built on a revolving 'truck' which was able to move around the stage under radio control. Lighting effects on the castle were also radio controlled. Due to the raked (sloping) stage, the truck was designed to tilt as it rotated to maintain a level position.
• The transformation effect from Beast back to man involved a lift mechanism built into the castle truck, a little stage magic, and some spectacular lighting effects.
• The blooming rose in a glass case was built by Howard Eaton Lighting Ltd and consisted of rose petals on tiny chains which 'fell' from the rose bud via electric servomotors. The rose was able to flower from a bud via a tracking mechanism which pulled it back into a sleeve to pull the petals open. Fibre-optic lighting effects were used to make the petals 'sparkle' as they fell.

Set Design:

• Even close-up the set design was exquisite. Tiny details (which couldn't even be seen by the cast on stage let alone the audience) were part of the Disney attention to detail. Belle's father's cottage had a couple of woodland creatures hidden amongst the foliage in his front garden.

Beauty and the Beast trailer