By ALANA MITCHELSON
ST Paul’s Anglican Grammar School’s musical production of Beauty and the Beast was a huge success, with more than 1400 tickets sold across the four shows held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre last month.
Based on the 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of “beautiful and intelligent” Belle, a young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village and finds herself imprisoned in the magical castle of a “terrifying” beast.
The musical was accompanied by a 32-piece orchestra and the school invited children in the audience to dress as their favourite Beauty and the Beast character at the matinee on Saturday 23 July, where there was an opportunity to meet and greet the cast after the performance.
Having dedicated countless hours for rehearsals, production, direction, set construction, costume organisation and stage props, students, staff and parents felt proud of the outcome of the show and received encouraging comments from audience members.
St Paul’s teacher Casey Hall who directed and choreographed the musical production said that the students involved with the production had grown as a result of the experience.
“Being part of a show such as this is a unique experience that presents students with opportunities for development in ways that are unparalleled in everyday school life,” Ms Hall said.
“I can safely say that each student involved in Beauty and the Beast 2016 will walk away from this experience a more resilient, insightful and fulfilled young person.”
