The Adelaide Insider

Be our guest, Adelaide: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has officially waltzed into town, and it’s nothing short of a technicolour theatrical Disney daydream. From the moment the curtain rises, this dazzling reimagining of the beloved 1991 classic casts its spell with a blend of nostalgia, spectacle and jaw-dropping stagecraft. Big, bold, and bursting with heart, this Australian-led revival is everything you want from a Disney musical: visually stunning, packed with powerhouse performances, and full of that feel-good magic we all need right now. It’s the same tale as old as time, but you’ve never seen it quite like this.

Leading the charge is Shubshri Kandiah as Belle; a heroine as brainy and brave as we remember, but with added bite. Her voice soars (especially during A Change in Me), and she brings a grounded, fiery grace to the role that makes Belle feel wonderfully real. Her chemistry with Brendan Xavier’s Beast is electric, and together they bring real heart to the fairytale. Brendan doesn’t just growl his way through the role – he owns it, with a raw, emotional performance that brings audiences to stunned silence during If I Can’t Love Her. Meanwhile, Rohan Browne as Lumiere and Gareth Jacobs as Cogsworth form a truly memorable comic duo. Their timing is impeccable, their delivery effortless, and their dynamic adds levity without ever detracting from the show’s emotional core.  Jayde Westaby’s Mrs Potts is a warm, maternal presence, and her heartfelt version of the title song is every bit as moving as you’d hope. Jackson Head goes full-throttle as Gaston – all over-the-top bravado and buffoonery – with Adam Di Martino’s Le Fou making for the perfect comic sidekick. And let’s not forget Jared Bickerton’s Chip, whose wide-eyed wonder melted every heart in the house.

Visually, Beauty and the Beast is a feast for the eyes that is nothing short of pure sorcery.  Using a blend of traditional staging and clever projections, the production creates an ever-shifting world that feels three-dimensional and alive. Whether it’s the eerie glow of the Beast’s castle (complete with The Enchanted Rose in its protective glass jar), or the rustic charm of Belle’s provincial town, every scene is layered with detail and depth. The costume design is equally impressive. With more than 300 lavish looks, it’s couture-meets-cartoon in the best way possible. The ever-so-dramatic reveal of Belle’s iconic golden ballgown draws a collective audible gasp from the audience; a theatrical moment of genuine wonderment that never fails to fill you with childish glee. The enchanted household objects are brought to life with creative flair, every carefully thought out detail dripping in charm and character.

With the full-bodied sound of a live orchestra bringing Alan Menken’s timeless score to life, the music here doesn’t just accompany the action; it elevates it to a whole new level that needs to be experienced to be believed. From the raucous energy of Gaston to the sweeping emotion of Beauty and the Beast, every number is delivered with conviction, clarity and more than a little flair. It’s musical theatre at its most cinematic. Be Our Guest is the show’s undeniable visual, musical and theatrical centrepiece; an explosion of choreography, colour, and clever design that feels like a Broadway-calibre spectacle.

Big-hearted, big-budget and brilliantly executed, Beauty and the Beast isn’t just any old movie-turned-musical; it’s an invitation to believe in magic again. This production is a masterclass in how to revive a classic with respect, creativity, and technical excellence, reminding us why we fell in love with this tale in the first place. It’s lush, lavish, and laced with heart. Whether reliving childhood memories or introducing a new generation to the magic, Beauty and the Beast is a must-see for the young, the young-at-heart and everyone in between.

Beauty and the Beast
Venue: Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Road, Adelaide SA 5000
Dates: Saturday 10 May – Sunday 6 July 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Beauty and the Beast is now playing at the Adelaide Festival Theatre until 6 July. Don’t miss your chance to be swept up in the magic; because some tales really are as old as time, and just as timeless.