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Beauty and the Beast artfully re-mastered
By Brenda Babinski
It’s a tale as old as time. Boy meets girl. Boy holds girl’s father hostage. Girl negotiates a trade and stays as hostage in father’s place. Talking teapots, feather dusters, clocks and various other household items sing, dance and play matchmaker. And they all live happily ever after.
No I am not talking about the latest CSI franchise. It’s Beauty and the Beast of course. The story of introverted and bookish Belle who lives in a provincial town, hungry for something more. She falls for the characters in her beloved books, living vicariously through their stories while spurning the advances of Gaston, an overly confident suitor who is determined to marry Belle, whether she likes it or not.
And then there is the Beast. Misunderstood and much feared, the Beast is a young prince trapped in a disfigured guise by the wicked spell of an ill-tempered enchantress. All he needs to set him free is the love of a good woman.
Beauty and the Beast, presented by Selkirk Secondary School, ran May 20 to 23 at the McKim Theatre. Featuring students from McKim Middle School and Selkirk Secondary, the cast was comprised of 40 students ranging in age from 10 to 17. Directed by Sven Heyde (right), the well-known play has been artfully re-mastered to showcase the versatile talents of the performers.
Heyde has chosen to break through stereotypes, think outside the box and bring a new level of entertainment to a time honored play. There are surprises, pratfalls, and humor that will appeal to young and old. Featuring a talented cast led by Clara MacLeod (pictured above) who dazzled as Belle, many of the players stepped from role-to-role with ease, demonstrating range and talent far beyond their years.
First time Director Heyde has risen to the challenge and found great rewards for his efforts. “I love getting the chance to include a couple students in the orchestra. I also love watching some of the students take on leadership roles (the show was choreographed by Clara MacLeod, Belle; and Courtney Crawford, Gaston). I also love watching the kids achieve something many of them (the first timers) didn’t know was possible.”
Audiences delight in seeing children as young as 10-years-old bloom and grow in the coming years. And with mentors such as Clara MacLeod (Belle), Jason Van Zyl (Beast), Courtney Crawford (Gaston) and Emma MacLeod (Maurice) leading the way, Selkirk Secondary productions will be sure to continue its proud run of successful spring productions.
Photos by Walt Babinski
