Connections www.culford.co.uk
Spring 2013
Beauty and the Beast - Trés Belle!
Highlights of the Scholars’ Programme
Forbidden Broadway, the revue that parodies musical theatre on New York’s Great White Way, once devised a song mocking a revival of Beauty and the Beast. They called it Beauty’s Been Decreased, suggesting how much the production had been scaled down. Such a criticism could not be levelled at Culford’s interpretation, which was big, bold, bright and beautiful.
The moral of this French fairy tale turned Broadway hit is that we sometimes need to look beneath the surface to discover beauty. The audiences that packed out Centenary Hall for each of the three performances did not need to do much delving, however, for beauty was everywhere in this stunningly acted, sung and staged production. It was a treat for the eyes and ears.
For all the dazzling West End costumes, impressive sets and well-judged technical elements, however, it was the cast’s performances that made this such a superb evening. All the principals rose to the occasion admirably, such is the professionalism instilled by Director of Drama Maria Kane, who can be justifiably proud of the way in which the company commanded the stage. They showed a fine appreciation of comic timing and had clearly worked hard with Musical Director James Recknell to deliver the songs confidently in character.
Robert Leveritt, BBC sound engineer who accompanied HRH Prince Harry to the Arctic, pictured here with Head Girl Emma Devlin
Ex-England Rugby Captain Alastair Hignell with Jonty Rawcliffe, U6, and Senior Housemaster Gavin Reynolds
A gallery of images from the production may be viewed at: www.culford.co.uk/seniorschool/galleries
Felicity Aston, the first woman to ski the Antarctic alone, with Head Boy Dominic Absolon and Deputy Head Girl Moroti Babayemi
Culford Connections is a termly newsletter for Culford School bringing together news from the Senior, Prep and Pre-Prep Schools