North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Long Bay College performs Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Staff and students at Long Bay College have been inspired to re-imagine Disney’s sensational musical Beauty and the Beast through the imaginative lens of the Steampunk genre.
The school is creating a world of inventions and adventures, clockwork and battles, electric light and love. Producer Brendan Perkins is astounded at how the fabric technology and visual design departments have rallied around this magnificent show to try to realise the students’ original designs.
Musical director Hadley Ronayne has yet again nurtured some extraordinary singing talent including outstanding newcomer Briana Gordhan as Belle, and the impressively talented Kane Evans as The Beast.
A collection of wonderful character actors are bringing to life the castle’s mechanically magical creatures of the suave Lumiere, the tightly wound Cogsworth and the nononsense Mrs Potts. However Alex Quinn may steal the show with his egotistical Gaston and trusty side kick Le Fou.
The cast has been in the rehearsal process since April and dedicated many hours to perfecting the big rousing chorus numbers such as the infamous Be Our Guest and choreographing stage fighting for battles scenes. However director Adrienne Bishop believes the show’s strength comes from the beautifully performed moments of love and friendship.
Long Bay College has a stellar record for putting on a fantastic, entertaining, night out. Its last musical, Les Miserables, saw a sold out run after its opening night was an instant hit.
The lead Jed McKinney, now studying at NASDA (National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts) went on to win the coveted Auckland Secondary Schools Award of best lead in a musical. This year’s show looks to follow on from this success.
Beauty and the Beast will run from August 26 to September 3 at the Long Bay College Auditorium. Tickets are available through Long Bay College Reception on 477 9009 and are already selling fast.