Disney’s Beauty and the Beast the Musical comes to Perth, promising a dazzling and colourful spectacular.
By Ara Jansen
The last time Shubshri Kandiah performed in Perth was about six years ago. Now she returns to her hometown as a Disney princess – complete with a set of gorgeous gowns to prove it.
The Brisbane-based singer, dancer and actor is playing the female lead in Beauty and the Beast the Musical, based on the 1991 animated film. The original production played for more than 13 years on Broadway, remaining to this day one of the top 10 longest running shows in Broadway history.
It has toured 37 countries and the last time it played in Australia was 30 years ago, only in Sydney and Melbourne.
In the story of Beauty and the Beast a wicked enchantress turns an arrogant prince into a beast until he learns to love and be loved. Belle – played by Shubshri – a headstrong village girl helps draw the cold-hearted beast from his isolation.
Compared to the original Belle, the musical’s character is much stronger and more empowered, as shown by subtle but noticeable changes to the script from, ‘dance with me?’ to ‘dance with me’.
This Belle is a young woman who makes active choices and doesn’t rely on her looks, her charm or a sword to fulfill her aspirations. She is an avid reader who wears glasses, and what she wears shows her in a more modern light – no aprons for this Belle.
As a musical, the production prides itself on being a spectacular of Disney proportions which includes 300 costumes and 119 wigs, made of a combination of synthetic hair, human hair and yak hair in each one.
Belle’s yellow ballgown design was based on Elizabeth II’s coronation dress. Each petal on the dress is made of around 300-600 crystals, pearls and beads.
Shubshri has been performing as Belle since last year and says she has loved being able to play the same character over and over, each time finding something new or different about the character she can tease out or the way she can play her.
“You can take what you discover and run with it,” says Shubshri. “At her core, the character is the same, but I get to grow with her. Because of these little things I still find this wonderful joy each night.
“I really enjoy being able to do all the things in the show. I love telling a story through song and though movement. I think the thing I love most about musicals is the storytelling.”
Shubshri says playing a Disney princess is definitely a challenge but she revels in the character changes Belle goes through and finds it satisfying to experience that emotion every night.
“It’s a really beautiful arc through the story and it’s fun to share that. Plus, I feel like in their own way so many people go through that journey of finding a relationship and falling in love, even if it’s unexpected or happens in an unusual way.”
Beauty and the Beast the Musical is at Crown Theatre from July 24 – October 12. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
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