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After enthralling 27,000 people in Mumbai over 10 sold-out shows, Disney India brings the timeless classic Beauty and the Beast to Delhi this month. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this classic musical love story will be presented on the same scale as the mega-productions seen on New York’s Broadway and London’s West End. Over 100 of the best musical theatre performers in India will bring the story of Beauty and the Beast alive on stage, with world class production values, lavish sets and costumes.
Metrolife spoke to Meher Mistry (aka Belle) from the musical, about her experience of working in a larger than life theatre for the first time.
“There were three levels of auditioning for the role. And the last one was week-long,” says Mistry.
For the past four years, Mistry has been working in various small and big musicals. Hailing from Mumbai, she has had opportunities to work as an actor and singer both.
“My past experience did help me for my selection. But I definitely learnt a lot. Since the time I was selected in May, we are having intensive lessons on fitness, drama, vocals and other modules and in every aspect I learnt something new,” she says. She says that Belle is funny, strong, independent yet grounded. She longs for a prince and her worldview is based on the fairytale books she reads.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is actually a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for eternity.
“The musical is adapted from the film directly, so a lot of acting is kiddish, but also a good mix of realism is there,” she adds.
She explains that musical theatre is quite different from any other form of theatre as there is always extra emphasis on sound, style, expressions, and hence a lot of story is told through the songs.
“What you say, you have to sing it,” says Mistry. Giving a hint of what is a “larger than life musical” looks like, Mistry explains that the venue will be transformed into elaborate sets with a magical village area capturing Belle’s house, Tavern, clock tower and Beast’s castle area with Belle’s bedroom, royal dining area, balcony to name few. The show promises to be the most immersive Broadway scale show where a select set of audience will get an opportunity to be a part of the village set-up and experience the magic 360 degrees (on swivel chairs).
The musical has been completely developed locally in India, while retaining the original script and memorable music of the Broadway show. The 130-minute production will be in English, with select shows in Delhi in December, each of which can seat around 1,600 people.
The show will open at Thyagaraj Sports Complex, INA Colony from December 19 to 27. Tickets available on Bookmyshow.com.
Metrolife spoke to Meher Mistry (aka Belle) from the musical, about her experience of working in a larger than life theatre for the first time.
“There were three levels of auditioning for the role. And the last one was week-long,” says Mistry.
For the past four years, Mistry has been working in various small and big musicals. Hailing from Mumbai, she has had opportunities to work as an actor and singer both.
“My past experience did help me for my selection. But I definitely learnt a lot. Since the time I was selected in May, we are having intensive lessons on fitness, drama, vocals and other modules and in every aspect I learnt something new,” she says. She says that Belle is funny, strong, independent yet grounded. She longs for a prince and her worldview is based on the fairytale books she reads.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is actually a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for eternity.
“The musical is adapted from the film directly, so a lot of acting is kiddish, but also a good mix of realism is there,” she adds.
She explains that musical theatre is quite different from any other form of theatre as there is always extra emphasis on sound, style, expressions, and hence a lot of story is told through the songs.
“What you say, you have to sing it,” says Mistry. Giving a hint of what is a “larger than life musical” looks like, Mistry explains that the venue will be transformed into elaborate sets with a magical village area capturing Belle’s house, Tavern, clock tower and Beast’s castle area with Belle’s bedroom, royal dining area, balcony to name few. The show promises to be the most immersive Broadway scale show where a select set of audience will get an opportunity to be a part of the village set-up and experience the magic 360 degrees (on swivel chairs).
The musical has been completely developed locally in India, while retaining the original script and memorable music of the Broadway show. The 130-minute production will be in English, with select shows in Delhi in December, each of which can seat around 1,600 people.
The show will open at Thyagaraj Sports Complex, INA Colony from December 19 to 27. Tickets available on Bookmyshow.com.
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(Published 30 November 2015, 14:47 IST)
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