Shining Ensemble

Beauty and the Beast, 20th January at New Greenham Arts.

The story of Beauty and the Beast has been around for centuries in both written and oral form and more recently on stage and in film and video in many incarnations. Shining Lights version, written by Laurence Boswell, properly set the action in France.

Director Pete Watt created another fine piece of ensemble theatre, a trademark of this company, with the ever-present talented young cast moving fluidly through their dual roles for we were introduced to two worlds. One the cosy domestic world of the merchant and his family and the other, a magical and nightmare world dominated by the Beast. The second was effectively realised with the use of masks and the cast using strange jerky automata movements.

Uniting the two was Beauty, sensitively played by Anna Roberts who gently portrayed her spirited sense of duty which eventually matured into love. The tale was told in a narrative style, which can be tricky, but the cast handled it well and apart from a couple of dips in pace on the first night, it was admirable.

 Daryl Hurst as Beauty's father was excellent with an elegant delivery of his dialogue. As the White Witch, (doubling also at the last minute as Beauty's mother due to the indisposition of Jessica Welch) Aine McGarvey, showed great presence, giving a high quality performance. T

om Crooks-Smith's Beast was sinister, yet evoked our sympathy with his painful speech and demeanour, well done. There were good performances from the three sons; Andre (Jake Newton), Phillipe (Eddy Futers) and Emile (Callum Watt), both in their individual roles and as part of the ensemble.

As the demanding and rather unpleasant daughters, Caz Harrold (Veronique) and Helen Perry (Marie Clare) were on sparkling bitchy form. And completing the ensemble was Ellis Carveth. Costumes and setting were well thought-out (with excellent use of the space) and the lighting and music all helped to set the mood of the piece.

Aine McGarvey's last minute doubling of her roles was brilliantly handled; had we not known most of us would have been none the wiser. All credit to Shining Lights for pulling it off in such fine fashion.

TREVOR DOBSON Newbury Weekly News