"Beauty & The Beast" by Central Musical Theatre Company.

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

I shouldn't really need to tell you what the story behind this musical is, but here goes anyway......

Belle is captured by The Beast, who was really Prince Henri, changed after he was not very nice to the Enchantress, played by Bwalya Case, and it is through the love that develops between Belle and The Beast which breaks the Enchantress's spell. In the mean time though chaste Belle is being chased by the hunky and muscled Gaston. OK, got the story? Good, because you're going to love this show.

This is a big cast, so I'll aim to, at least, mention everyone.

Belle is played by Georgie Pegg. This is a big role for any actor, and Georgie just takes it all in her stride. Georgie's voice is the sort of voice that makers of Disney movies would love to have in their films. There's a certain innocence in this role which Georgie brings out beautifully. Her diction is crystal clear, in both the script as well as the vocal department; this is especially highlighted in "A Change In Me".

The Beast is played by Dominic Primrose. He obviously did such a convincing job of playing nasty characters last year when he played Bill Sikes in CMTC's "Oliver", that he is back playing another beastly character. A Beast of a character that just needs the love of a good woman to bring out the best in him, and Belle is that woman. Dominic's voice is the kind of voice made for musicals like this, and would also sound good in most of Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber's musical catalogue. You almost forget that there's an actor underneath his costume because he brings to life the beast in every way possible.

Gaston is played by Jonty Banks. Now, I mentioned costume above, but I actually had to check the playbill to check that this actually was Jonty; he looks so different as this arrogant egomaniac. Another thing that I didn't recognise was Jonty's singing voice, maybe because I don't think that I have heard him sing in such a low register; a register that really suits him. Great costume, wig and make up transformed Jonty's looks and character brilliantly.

Tim Hand plays Le Fou, Gaston's right hand man. Here is yet another brilliant transformation via make up and wigs. I last saw Tim playing the role of Noah Claypole in "Oliver" and recall him as being teenage in appearance, and this was only a little over a year ago. As Le Fou, he looks to have aged upwards splendidly and his character resembled Rik Mayall with the hair, manic eyes and attitude. A brilliant comic role that I imagine Tim is enjoying playing to the max.

Lynn Towle plays Mrs Potts. This is the role that Angela Lansbury made hers, and I loved Lynne's take on Mrs Potts. One of my favourite songs from this musical is obviously "Beauty & The Beast" and Lynn's warmth within this track was in keeping with the warmed teapot she played. 

Cogsworth, the fusty old clock, is played by Adrian Redfern. I've seen Adrian in several shows and several wonderful characters, and this is another award-winning portrayal of a fun character. Add to this a very powerful voice and Cogsworth keeps Adrian's character roles ticking over nicely.

Lumiere is played by Jonathan Penton. Yet another role that I had to double check the actor, and yet again due to the incredible make up. Jonathan is virtually unrecognisable. The French accent is fantastique and his facial acting makes this character one that few can hold a candle to. There are some excellent comedy one liners from Lumiere, and some that I am sure that I've not noticed before with other productions of "Beast".

Alan Lowe plays Maurice, Belle's Father and an inventor. It's because of Maurice that Belle ends up at the Beast's castle and is imprisoned. Maurice is set upon by a pack of pretty ferocious looking wolves, again I must mention the costumes because they were fantastically frightening, and flees to the castle for cover. 

Lorna Kirkland plays Babette, Luminiere's French girlfriend, showing that Disney did include saucy characters in his films. Another perfect piece of casting!

Chip, the delicate China cup, is played by two young actors, Noah Simper and Maximillian Lee. Noah takes the role on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening, and Maximillian is on stage Thursday evening and Saturday matinee. Loved the way that Chip is delivered to the stage with a bit of theatrical magic. Noah has a lovely air of confidence about his acting and singing, and seemed much taller than I had somehow expected when he cam on at the end for the final bows. Again, the magic of the theatre; and just my cup of tea.

Kathryn Fitchett plays Madame de la Grande Bouche. This vanity dresser costume that Kathryn has to wear is absolutely wonderful.

Les Filles La Ville, the three would be stand in suitors for Gaston, are played by Rachel Redfern, Laura Hutsby and Hope Lo Monaco. Brilliantly over excitable characters that mirrored the fun that Gaston brought to the scenes with this trio.

Monsieur D'Arque is played by Stefan Osvath . This character is the one that Gaston has employed to get  Maurice, Belle's Father, out of the picture by making the townsfolk think that he had gone a bit loopy by saying that a Beast occupied the castle.

The voice of The Narrator is by John Wedgewood, who we hear at the start of the show, giving us the background to how the Beast became who he was and what was needed to lift the curse. Straight away you know the history and you're ready for the action for the next couple of hours.

A lovely ensemble consisted of Bridgett Wyatt, Stefan Osvath, Helen Tunnicliffe, Liz Willgoose, Ella Crowther, Chrissie Smyth, Laura Bigland and Henrietta Breen.

The Dancers were Matthew Griffiths, Angelina Roberts, Scott Freeman, Chantel McLaren, Rex Portillano, Bwalya Case (who also played the enchanting Enchanteress).

Directed by Nigel Taylor, this was no easy ride due to the size of the cast but he managed to keep that Disney feel about the story. It gave you the feel of being able to float on air as you left the theatre with a lovely warm feeling inside.

Choreographed by Lauren Litherland. One thing that I felt with the choreography, which sometimes I don't get with some musicals, is the emotion that the choreographer and dancer is trying to portray to the audience, but with the wild animals section, you actually felt the danger and fear that they were supposed to be emitting. The big ensemble dance pieces just gave you the warm Disney feel that you should get from watching the big budget films on the big screen, and the more intimate moments were completely believable and full of chemistry.

Musical Director is David Blackwell. This soundtrack is such a rich collection of music that includes fun and cheeky pieces like "Be Our Guest" and "Gaston", through to gorgeous lush songs like the title song, "If I Can't Love Her" and "A Change In Me". David's work with the vocal side of this musical also must be acknowledged because, as I've previously noted, several of the vocalists have expanded their vocal ranges, and boy, do they sound good for it.

The Wardrobe Mistress is Marion Fisher. This musical has so many wonderful costumes, due to the incredible list of characters in the story. they have to be seen to be believed just what amazing costumes this show has. These costumes were hired in from Leos Costume Hire.

Set Designer, and Stage Manager, is Chris Margett, and this is just another area that is impressive in this show, especially the Beast's Castle. There are various sections that are rolled on and off stage with several scene changes that made me wonder if the wings of the stage have been expanded as if in Dr Who's Tardis.

The Stage Crew, who did a fantastic job of making sure everyone and everything was where they should be, when they were supposed to be there were Tim Booth, Ellie Nicholas, Ben Redfern, Sarah Rosental and Michael Sherrington.

The set itself is courtesy of Proscenium Set High and Scenery Solutions.

Props manager is Elaine Lawrenson who manages a whole host of props of various sizes and shapes which are not always confined to the stage!

Sound design is by Harry Greatorex. A well mixed sound, but one thing that seems to be rife at The Duchess is that there are never enough mics, especially when there's a large cast, and some of the individual voices were lost due to this.

Lighting design is by Stephen Greatorex. This is as good as any lighting design you'd see on any touring professional theatre production. The dry ice and lighting in the second act just added to the magic of this show.

I also feel the need to mention the programme that is available for this show, designed by Chris Margett, as it also shows just how much it takes a group to actually stage a musical of this size, proving why it is so important to support local theatre groups.

Even with a couple of prompts needed, and one small episode of forgetting song lyrics, nothing could detract from what is an incredible production that had the audience on their feet at the end of the night. You can see why this delightful and classy show is sold out all week.

"Beauty & The Beast" is at The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton until Saturday 29 March, but you may just be too late to get tickets, but is always worth trying to see if there have been any returns.

There's also a BSL Interpreter (Natasha Redfern) on Thursday and Friday.