Based on the Oscar-winning 1991 Disney animated film of the same name, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast arrives at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, with the kind of plush theatrical confidence that reminds audiences why this title remains one of the crown jewels of Disney’s stage canon. Making its only Asian stop in Singapore, the production leans heavily into nostalgia while refreshing the spectacle with contemporary theatrical technology and an ensemble-driven vitality.
Exceptional Performances by the Much-Loved Ensemble
The much-loved ensemble steals the show here. From the first bustling village scene to the exuberant chaos of Be Our Guest, the supporting cast injects warmth, humour and precision into every corner of the stage. Rohan Browne’s Lumière is effortlessly charming, delivering wit with a velvety musicality, while Gareth Jacobs’ Cogsworth provides a tightly wound counterpoint, his comic timing honed from years of experience in Disney musicals. Jayde Westaby’s Mrs Potts, rich in both vocal warmth and emotional gravitas, anchors the show’s beating heart while little Chip was a delight to watch.
At the centre of the fairy tale are Shubshri Kandiah’s Belle and Brendan Xavier’s Beast. Kandiah imbues Belle with intelligence and quiet resolve rather than overt perkiness, while Xavier balances physical power with a surprisingly tender vulnerability. Their evolving chemistry gives genuine emotional weight to the production’s central message of compassion and transformation.
The Production
Visually, the musical delivers on its promise of grandeur. Lavish costumes, intricate puppetry and seamless projections transform the stage into an enchanted world that feels both storybook and cinematic and is an absolute sight to behold. Scene changes are fluid, illusions are elegantly executed and the ballroom transformation remains a gasp-worthy highlight.
Musically, Alan Menken’s beloved score still soars, from the playful bravado of Gaston to the aching lyricism of the title song. New dance arrangements add freshness without straying from the show’s classic DNA.
Ultimately, Beauty and the Beast in Singapore is less about reinventing the tale and more about presenting it at its most opulent and heartfelt. For families, musical theatre lovers and Disney devotees alike, this production offers a polished, crowd-pleasing reminder that some stories really are as old—and as magical—as time.
Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
When: Till Jan 25
Admission: $70 to $340 via Marina Bay Sands and SISTIC Singapore (call 6348-5555)
Relevant Reads: The Phantom of the Opera, &Juliet, Mamma Mia!
Photos courtesy of Daniel Boud.