Be our guest...!

From Tuesday 30 March to Saturday 3 April, the ADC Theatre in Cambridge will host the technically stunning and musically beautiful former-Broadway show, Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Chip, one of Snail Tales' founding members, will be donning wax and fire to portray Lumière, the overly-exciteable French footman in the Beast's castle, who leads the chorus in the unforgettable showstopper, "Be Our Guest".

The original remains the only animated film ever to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and won two Academy Awards for Best Music, Song ("Beauty and the Beast") and Best Music, Original Score. With another two songs being nominated, including "Be Our Guest", it is one of the biggest Disney musical successes alongside The Lion King and Enchanted.

The stage adaptation gives everyone a chance to see the bewildering cast of memorable characters come to life - including walking and talking teapots, teacups, feather dusters and clocks. It is also an opportunity to see songs cut from the film due to deadlines, but no less grand spectacles in their own right, like "Human Again".

Belle, the heroine of the story, left Broadway to make way for a certain mermaid. Although a production of Beauty and the Beast toured the UK shortly after, the opportunity for UK companies to produce the rights have only recently been released - and Cambridge theatre group The Pied Pipers were among the first to grab them.

Despite being suited by name for the role of a little teacup, Chip auditioned for the part of Lumière after his family saw the UK tour, and the character reminded them of him. Chip is by no means the only member of the cast ideally suited to his role - Belle has the beauty and voice, Gaston has the biceps, and the Beast has both the size and the growl to terrify and delight the audience.

Tickets are already selling fast - especially for the matinees - so book now by visiting the ADC Theatre's webpage.

For more information about The Pied Pipers, click here!

2010-01-24