How Disney’s Beauty And The Beast appeals to fans of musicals and Disney, couples and families

PERTH – The tale of Beauty And The Beast, about the unlikely romance between a female villager and a cursed prince, might be as old as time.

But for Indian-Australian actress Shubshri Kandiah, who plays Belle in the reimagined musical adaptation, it is a story that continues to resonate with many today.

“At the core of it, messages like not judging a book by its cover, and themes like love and friendship, are still relevant,” she tells The Straits Times in an interview at Crown Theatre in Perth, Australia, where the stage production is currently running.

Australian actor Brendan Xavier, who is of Indian and Dutch descent, portrays the Beast. 

Based on the Oscar-winning 1991 animated film of the same name, Disney’s Beauty And The Beast will head to Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands from Dec 11, its only stop in Asia.

The original 1994 Beauty And The Beast musical played for more than 13 years on Broadway and toured 37 countries.

The updated version, which launched in 2021, still showcases beloved songs like Be Our Guest and the title track, but has been refreshed to feature new sets, costume design, choreography and state-of-the-art technology.

The Singapore run will also include home-grown talents in roles such as Chip, the young boy who turned into a teacup.

Says the musical’s American director and choreographer Matt West in a Zoom interview: “I think it’s really important to include people from the region where we’re playing to create a unique and authentic experience.”

He was the choreographer on the original production, which was Disney’s first Broadway venture.

Disney’s Beauty And The Beast’s cast and creatives tell ST why the musical has such broad appeal and something for everyone, from fans of musicals and Disney to couples and families.

For musical fans: The classic Broadway experience

The show’s musical director Luke Hunter says it offers the classic Broadway experience.

“It’s spectacular, ornate and vibrant. It has these huge production numbers and a classic Broadway score,” the Australian tells ST.

The song-and-dance sequence for Be Our Guest, for example, is grand, immersive and lasts 11½ minutes.

“The spectacle of it is almost overwhelming at times, the choreography is beautiful and the performances are delightful.”

Audiences will also be impressed by how the Beast appears in human form at the start, but transforms in front of their eyes, says Xavier, thanks to the closely-guarded secrets of special effects.

“As soon as I put the costume on, having that weight and mass, having people look at me and not recognise my face – that was a game changer for me,” he says.

West adds that Disney’s Beauty And The Beast appeals to musical fans because it boasts crowd favourites such as Belle and Gaston that are instantly hummable.

“I think that’s the strength of any successful musical – the songs stick in your head. That’s the genius of Alan Menken, really,” he says, referring to the award-winning American composer of the animated film’s music.

West also highlights that acclaimed lyricists Tim Rice and Howard Ashman created “very poignant and emotional lyrics that hit home”.

For Disney devotees: Faithful to the original 1991 film

West, a lifelong Disney devotee, believes that the key to appealing to fellow fans is by being as authentic as possible when it comes to the source material.

He says: “I think we were very clever in being true to the characters and fleshing them out in ways that the die-hard fans would understand and appreciate. I don’t want to be avant-garde with it. I want to give them what they expect and more.”

Kandiah adds that this group will be blown away by the seamless mix of practical sets, digital animation effects and LED screens.

“The use of digital content has been really well-incorporated. I usually don’t like the use of a lot of screens because I think the old sets are beautiful, but I think the integration here is so beautiful.”

Hunter says Disney fans will also find Disney’s Beauty And The Beast historically significant, as it was the first Disney movie to be turned into a musical.

“There are adults who come, and they’re obviously real Disney fans, not necessarily theatre fans. What they see on screen in the film is impressive and exciting, but when it happens live in front of you, with those really special, breathtaking magic tricks, people are left a little bit dazed and filled with wonder.”

For the couples: Foes-to-lovers romance for date night

The musical’s romantic appeal comes from the relatable emotions shown by Belle and the Beast.

Says Kandiah: “We see two people who don’t really like each other, then let their guard down and find they’re able to be vulnerable with each other, and find moments of connection. And from that, a friendship forms, and love grows from there.”

Hunter adds: “It’s a really popular date night experience. We often see couples coming on first dates, and also couples who loved the show and the movie when they were young, and then they get to experience it together again.” 

When Belle and the Beast perform the title track in the second act, West notes that he often sees lovers in the audience get closer to each other. “Every time I see heads go on shoulders, arms go around shoulders, I feel such a sense of satisfaction.”

Xavier believes Disney’s Beauty And The Beast offers lessons about patience, the capacity for change and the power of love. “When the house lights come on, we see couples crying.”

For families with young children: Bond over cross-generational charm

The cast and creatives are proud of the show’s cross-generational appeal, especially with the younger set, noting that many girls turn up dressed as Belle.

Kandiah says one of her favourite memories was meeting a woman who first saw the original musical 30 years ago, then attended a recent Melbourne show with her daughter and granddaughter. “It’s a core memory for the family – it really is a special show for everyone to come and see together.”

In one scene, West had Belle wear glasses because he noticed a lot of children were sporting spectacles. “The response from our young patrons has been overwhelming. I think it gave them a sense of pride that if Belle can wear them, so can I.”

Hunter says one particular scene of the Beast getting scolded for not saying “please” resonates with the little ones. “You can almost hear the children react to that, ‘Oh, this is also something that happens to me at home daily.’ So, they very quickly start to identify with him too.”

In addition, parents familiar with the 34-year-old film will be overwhelmed with nostalgia, says Xavier. “As soon as you hear the piano and then the violins coming in for (the song) Beauty And The Beast, and when we start dancing, it transports you back to being a kid and experiencing those emotions for the first time.”

Book it/Disney’s Beauty And The Beast

Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
When: From Dec 11. Depending on the day, performances can be at 1, 2, 6.30 or 8pm
Admission: From $70, go to

str.sg/bdNK