Elaborate costumes are part of the Beauty and the Beast performance. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Tale as old as time

Beauty and the Beast production showcasing high-quality costumes and backdrops

Mar 15, 2019 | 11:57 AM

Fans of the 1991 animated Disney film Beauty and the Beast won’t be disappointed with the live-stage adaptation performed by local students this week.

Intricate costumes, detailed backdrops and familiar songs are all part of the production with about 60 students involved with either the cast or crew. Tamara Putz is one of the organizers of the play and she said actors consist of Grade 4 to 12 students from Churchill Community High School, Pre-Cam Community School and, for the first time, Gordon Denny Community School. So far, the play has been performed for students at all three schools with two evening showings for the public.

“It’s a junior edition meaning it’s one act and one hour,” Putz said. “As a result, it’s a whole lot shorter than the movie, but in terms of the general plot line and characters, it’s the same. It’s just a much smaller version of it.”

Putz also noted the cost to perform the play is also significant as certain fees needed to be paid for copyright, backdrops and costumes. She added the costumes come from a manufacturer, which is known for high quality and the schools had to fundraise in order to make it happen. In the handful of times the plays has been performed so far, Putz stated it’s been well received by the public.

resignation

Tisdale mayor resigns

2h ago

Parking fees

Former P.A. city councilor still fighting parking fees for cancer patients

7h ago

drinking and driving

Guilty plea entered in impaired driving causing death case

7h ago

Back in 2009, students were involved in a much smaller production of Beauty and the Beast. Many people still remember it, Putz said, which could be a reason why the play has been drawing in such large crowds.

“Its popularity is also built on the fact Connie Haugen has a reputation for creating a pretty phenomenal production,” she said. “It’s not that there’s not may other people involved with the production, but Connie is the one who has the heart and puts in the incredible hours to make it happen.”

Lumière and Cogsworth are seen in the drama production. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Beast and Belle are the main characters in the famous 1991 movie. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Grade 12 students Hayden Penney and Morgan Layton were two of the main actors in the play appearing as Gaston and Belle. Both actors have been involved with drama production since childhood and they also both stated this year’s play has been a lot of fun.

“This year I get to be a guy who nobody likes, which is kind of fun for me,” Penney said. “It’s always fun to get a reaction out of the crowd. It always just makes me feel happy.”

Layton is also excited to be part of the play and said it’s probably one of her best performances so far.

“I really enjoy singing and I like the atmosphere here because everyone is kind of weird and it’s really fun,” she said. “I really like this play because we can relate back. This was the very first play we did 10 years ago. It’s kind of like re-doing it again, but it’s a much bigger scale this time.”

There are two more performances of Beauty and the Beast open to the public this Friday and Saturday at Churchill.

–

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno