Simply the BEAST!

New take on classic story for Christmas

THE New Vic Theatre is aiming to ‘bring new life’ to a much-loved classic story this Christmas.

The award-winning theatre-in-theround is staging Beauty and the Beast – the first major festive production in its revamped auditorium.

The theatre – led by artistic director Theresa Heskins – is going back to the story’s roots to bring it right up to date for modern audiences.

It follows a string of much-loved Christmas shows at the Basford venue, including the Prince and the Pauper, The Borrowers, 101 Dalmatians and Treasure Island.

The theatre’s production of the Snow Queen won the UK Theatre Award Best Show for Children and Young People in 2017.

Theresa, pictured above, said: “Bringing new life to these classic stories is absolutely what we’re about at the New Vic.

“I enjoyed discovering the original version of Beauty and the Beast to create this new version for our in-theround stage.

“It’s a story about kindness, about love, about not judging people based on outward appearances. Themes that feel apt for this time. And it’s about magic, which is exciting to me as a director.”

The story was originally a French fairy tale written in 1756 by Jeannemarie Leprince de Beaumont.

Since then it has been made into numerous films, including a Disney animation and live-action version featuring Emma Watson.

The New Vic stage play will feature a number of actors familiar to New Vic Audiences, including ‘Beast’ Nicholas Richardson, who appeared in its production of Astley’s Astounding Adventures.

Bella will be played by Rhiannon Skerritt, while the remaining cast includes Danielle Bird (The Prince and the Pauper, Astley’s Astounding Adventures), Jonathan Charles (Peter Pan in Scarlet, Robin Hood and Marian, The Borrowers), Polly Lister The Snow Queen, 101 Dalmatians), Lucinda Freeburn, Frederik Pahus, Solaya Sang, Rhyanna Alexander-davis and Bella Band.

Violin player Farhaan Shah will complete the company as a musician and show musical director following his previous appearances at the New Vic in Coppelia – A Mystery, The Prince and the Pauper and Astley’s Astounding Adventures.

■ Beauty and the Beast takes to the stage at the New Vic from Friday November 26 to Saturday January 29. Tickets are on sale now, priced from £19- £28.50. To book, call the box office on 01782 717 962 or visit newvictheatre.org.uk. Sociallydistanced performances are available to book on selected dates.