The Co-op Academy lies in the back streets of Blackley in North Manchester, and their theatre, which is also available for outside hire, is large, well-equipped, and of a similar size and standard to, say, Sale's Waterside Theatre. There is plenty of car parking, an airy and welcoming foyer, and a theatre where every seat is the best seat in the house. This evening I entered the auditorium to a large and excellently designed multi-level composite set, a band pit, professional-quality lighting and haze.
All the large cast for this Disney musical were pupils at the school, with the over-riding majority of them being those at the very start of their teens. The quality of acting and singing they produced was indeed both noteworthy and inspiring, and as an ensemble they worked superbly. The chorus work in the larger musical numbers was excellently choreographed, creating some superb pictures, and the cast had brought about their own individual characterisations (even from the ensemble) to bring these fully to life.
The principal characters were all excellently chosen and brought about consummate performances. I especially liked the brash, devil-may-care arrogance and egotism from Taylor Hardy's Gaston, speaking the majority of his songs with such panache that this actually added to rather than detracted from his characterisation. Rae Daly was a superb Belle, hitting her characterisation fair and square on the nail's head, and she had a lovely singing voice to boot. Jack Hooley worked well under a cumbersome head-piece as the Beast: acting without being able to use facial expression is always much more difficult, so hat's off to him! I can't mention all the cast, I'd be here forever, but I did like the four female gossip narrators and their flushed amorousness towards Gaston (Elektra Day, Aimee Dale, Isabelle Gibson, Chikae Hughes). Claudia Fiejek's child-like and impatient Chip, had a crisp, clear voice, and worked well with the other characterful servants of the Beast. However I have left one particular character until last, as his performance was so impressive, he deserves a very special mention. I write of course of William Hall, whose comedy antics and delightful stage presence lit the stage up on his every entrance.
One thing I feel compelled to mention about this evening's show however, was something which sadly let the production down quite dramatically. The mics. I feel sure that all on stage must have been aware that their mics were not working properly and cutting out, sometimes for long periods of time, before coming back on again quite suddenly, but all kudos to every single cast member (especially those whose mics were more troublesome than others) for not letting this worry them or make it obvious to the audience something was wrong; but instead just carrying on as normal, despite not being able to be heard. Again, my hat comes off to you all for this. I have no idea what the problem was, but sadly it persisted throughout the show, such a shame.
However, microphones notwithstanding, 'Beauty And The Beast' was a magical show. Lovely costumes; solid, unfussy direction and choreography; creative set and lighting [I loved the idea of the mirrors]; and a cast of young people who gave their all to the show, which paid dividend many times over. Congratulations to all involved: extremely enjoyable and proficient.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 11.2.22
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