Awe inspiring - Beauty and the Beast at The Lowry (From Northwich Guardian)

Awe inspiring - Beauty and the Beast at The Lowry

3:45pm Wednesday 25th January 2012 in Theatre & arts By Rick Bowen

BIRMINGHAM Royal Ballet’s production of Beauty and The Beast is certain to drain every ounce of awe out of everyone who sees it.

The choreography is as sensual as it is exciting and the BRB dancers manage to make the most complicated moves look very easy indeed.

And then, of course, there are the sets by Philip Prowse, the magical, often elegant sets to take your breath away and throw you headlong into a fairytale world.

It’s always a special occasion when BRB come to town and this production, currently playing at The Lowry, has more than enough to preach to the unconverted as well as delighting the more seasoned ballet fan.

This is a love story with a difference, the central characters being a Prince disfigured by a cruel curse and a young woman who sees past his unsightly appearance and sees his good heart.

Elisha Willis and Robert Parker played the roles on Tuesday night and there was a remarkable chemistry between them. Even more remarkable when you consider that, as always with ballet, not a word is spoken. Actions speak louder than words as they say.

Add a score by Glenn Buhr and you have a theatrical experience that will live long in the memory. Once again, Birmingham Royal Ballet strikes gold.

* Until January 28. The box office is on 0843 208 6000. Star rating - ****