To celebrate this year’s Book Week, Beauty and the Beast, currently playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre until the end of the year, has partnered with City of Melbourne Libraries to host free cast readings next week!
Young fans of Beauty and the Beast are encouraged to dress up at both the Docklands Library and narrm ngarrgu Library to meet the cast of Disney’s acclaimed new musical whilst hearing the story of Belle and her Beast.
“When my son was young, I loved reading to him. As an actor, I did all the voices – I really enjoyed bringing the books to life. Now, our favourite tradition is creating a Book Week costume together every year,” said Jayde Westaby, who plays Mrs Potts in Beauty and the Beast.
Held annually, Book Week takes place from 17 – 23 August 2024. This year’s theme is Reading is Magic.
Beauty and the Beast X City of Melbourne Cast Readings:
WHO: Hayley Martin (Babette) & Alana Tranter (Madame)
WHERE: Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
WHEN: Thursday 22 August – 10:30am
WHO: Jayde Westaby (Mrs Potts) & Gareth Jacobs (Cogsworth)
WHERE: narrm ngarrgu Library, 141 Therry Street Melbourne
WHEN: Friday 23 August – 10:30am
Produced by Disney Theatrical Group (Aladdin, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Frozen) this new production of Beauty and the Beast brings back members of the original creative team from the ground-breaking Broadway musical to reimagine this much-loved classic tale.
Olivier Award nominee Matt West directs and choreographs, leading a team that includes original composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, scenic designer Stan Meyer and lighting designer Natasha Katz.
Melbourne audiences are rejoicing in the nostalgic and spellbinding songs of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice including Belle, Gaston, Human Again and Be Our Guest.
With spectacular new sets, costume designs and state-of-the-art technology fused with this beloved, classic story, the timeless romance is brought to life on stage by a stellar Australian cast including Shubshri Kandiah as Belle and Brendan Xavier as Beast.
They are joined by Rohan Browne in the role of Lumiere, Jackson Head as Gaston, Gareth Jacobs as Cogsworth, Jayde Westaby as Mrs Potts, Nick Cox as Le Fou, Rodney Dobson as Maurice (Belle’s father), Hayley Martin as Babette and Alana Tranter as Madame.
Based on the 1991 animated film, the original production of Beauty and the Beast played for more than 13 years on Broadway, remaining to this day one of the top 10 longest running shows in Broadway history, and touring to 37 countries worldwide.
The enchanting and timeless tale of Belle and her Beast will be brought to life in a reimagined production boasting all the spectacle and grandeur audiences know and love.
Beauty and the Beast continues at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne until the end of the year. For more information, visit: www.beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au for details.
Image: Jayde Westaby as Mrs Potts – photo by Ben King