Audience Reaction:
"Fantastic show as always!"
"Being a retired member of both Croft House Operatic and The Wednesday Club, it is some time since I have had a chance to see a Teachers Show from the audience instead of backstage and I would just like to say that Beauty and the Beast was one of the best shows my wife and I have seen in ages.
We recently paid about £76 to see 'Flashdance' in London and [we thought] it was rubbish so in future we'll stick to the 'amateurs'. There wasn't a weak actor/singer on stage but if I had to pick out one person it would be Belle who has one of the most wonderful voices I have heard. Helen deserves a pat on the back for being such a wonderful Teapot (and a special word for 'Chip') and Mark Harris as Lumiere but I repeat, they were all wonderful - thanks for a great night out"
Newspaper Crits:
Sheffield Telegraph Review
"Beauty and the Beast, Lyceum
IT isn’t difficult to appreciate why this is such a hugely popular show. It’s a good old-fashioned musical.
Not old-fashioned in a dated sense but in the way that it sets out to entertain with music that is easy on the ear and a storyline that seems possible, yet ultimately is impossible.
Pure escapism, in short, deriving from that master of escapism, Disney.
Alan Menken’s unpretentious music is melodic with grateful vocal lines and a hint of derivativeness perhaps: Maison des Lunes, for instance, appears to take its cue from Cabaret. But it is ‘musical’ music, not pseudo-operatic, and is well served by the far from old-fashioned lyrics of Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.
Dee Bennie-Marshall’s production for Sheffield Teachers’ Operatic Society is colourful and spectacular, not least in Be Our Guest, which is real showstopper.
The scenery, painted backdrops and sets, plus the costumes, suggest an expensive show to put on, although the Beast’s ‘huge library’ looks anything but.
Catherine Harban is ideal casting as Belle, vocally and dramatically, her diminutive stature being in stark contrast to Dan Senior’s height as Gaston, while Craig Lawton turns in a terrific performance as the Beast – superb act one finale (If I Can’t Love Her). You have to empathise with him and you do.
Among the splendid cast playing his servants, Mark Harris (Lumaire), David Jefferson (Cogworth) and Helen Kempton (Mrs Potts) offer standout performances.
The whole show is strongly cast and performed and well worth catching."
Bernard Lee
Sheffield Star Review
"Beauty and the Beast, Lyceum
SHEFFIELD Teachers' Operatic Society has produced an entertaining Disney musical.
The moral of the story is that beauty is on the inside.
In this case a prince cursed by an enchantress to bear a countenance of a beast is judged to be cruel and savage. On the other hand a beautiful woman who is interested in books, is perceived as odd.
Catherine Harban is sensational as Belle. Not only attractive, she sings like a professional and her presence lights up the stage.
Craig Lawton was initially disappointing as the grumpy Beast but came into his own in the second half as he becomes a gentleman. He also has an easy-listening, singing voice.
Dan Senior is literally larger than life as dastardly Gaston. There is a terrific set piece named after him where everyone dances, clinking beer tankards and raves about him.
Another great, choreographed sequence is Be Our Guest. It features a human candle, clock, teapot and cup and duster. To say nothing of the acrobatic salt and pepper pots, ballerinas and gigantic menus!
The aerial transformations of the enchantress and the beast to open and close the show were worthy of a circus spectacular."
Stephen Grigg
