As the Brisbane season of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast draws to an end, more than 200,000 Queenslanders have already experienced the magic. With only one week remaining this is the last chance for audiences to see Disney’s classic musical romance before it leaves for Melbourne.
This reimagined production of Beauty and the Beast has become the highest-selling season of any show at QPAC in a decade and the third highest-selling of all time behind The Phantom of the Opera (1996) and The Lion King (2014). A combined total of 1.1 million Queenslanders have seen a Disney production at the Lyric Theatre since 2012.
Produced in Australia by Disney Theatrical Group (Aladdin, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Frozen), this new production received 5 stars from the Courier Mail, The Guardian, Time Out Sydney and the Daily Telegraph, whose review described it as “a remarkable reimagination”.
With an incredible Australian cast, fabulous new sets, costumes and cutting-edge technology, the show-stopping production number Be Our Guest also includes a brand-new tap finale featuring Lumiere, Belle and all the enchanted objects of the castle, and regularly receives a mid-show standing ovation.
QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas AM celebrated the fact that Disney’s Beauty and the Beast season had made it into the record books and said the production ticked all the boxes for Queensland audiences.
“We know our audiences love musical theatre and Disney always over-delivers on outstanding production values with refined story-telling that taps into nostalgia,” said Mr Kotzas.
“We’re committed to partnering with the very best producers, arts companies and artists to ensure we deliver a diverse and engaging annual program of live performing arts experiences that draw in audiences. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has been a highlight of the 2024 program as is evidenced by these impressive audience numbers,” said Mr Kotzas.
“It’s fantastic to see Disney Theatrical Group’s new production of Beauty and the Beast filling the hearts of Queensland audiences at the Lyric Theatre night after night,” said Kylie Watson-Wheeler, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director.
“Our cast, crew, orchestra, creatives and management team are thrilled to have surpassed our previous long-held record in Queensland. We love bringing our shows to QPAC, and we’re excited to continue to produce world-class musicals around the country for everyone to enjoy,” said Kylie Watson-Wheeler.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast continues at the Lyric Theatre – QPAC until Sunday 9 June, before playing Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 27 June 2024. For more information, visit: www.beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au for details.
Image: Rohan Browne (Lumiere), Gareth Jacobs (Cogsworth) and Jayde Westaby (Mrs Potts) star in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (supplied)