SudhikshaWe caught Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, and it delivered a magical night out. Even when a story is familiar, returning to it can still feel special. In this case, the production manages to surprise, move, and enchant. As a result, nostalgia, spectacle, and warmth come together in a theatrical experience that feels timeless yet vividly alive.
Running from 11 December 2025 to 25 January 2026, Beauty and the Beast makes its Asian premiere in Singapore in a newly reimagined staging. Presented by Base Entertainment Asia and Disney Theatrical Group, this limited season production brings one of musical theatre’s most beloved tales to the stage with romance, humour, and signature Disney magic.
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A timeless tale, masterfully staged
Image credit: Sudhiksha Krishna Kumar
At its core, Beauty and the Beast is a story about looking beyond appearances. More importantly, it is Belle who grounds the narrative emotionally. Unlike a princess from a distant kingdom, she is the curious daughter of an inventor in an ordinary village. Yet, that ordinariness never holds her back. Instead, it highlights her quiet strength and independence.
Although the village labels her “the prettiest girl in town”, Belle refuses Gaston’s shallow admiration. Instead, she seeks knowledge and adventure, tearing through books in search of something more. When her father, Maurice, goes missing and is imprisoned in an enchanted castle, her selflessness comes to the fore. Without hesitation, she trades her freedom for his, immediately raising the emotional stakes.
Inside the castle, Belle encounters its cursed inhabitants. Here, the charismatic Lumiere, the prim Cogsworth, and the warm-hearted Mrs Potts, alongside her teacup son Chip, reveal a household trapped between object and human. Together, they cling to the hope that the Beast will find love before the final petal falls from an enchanted rose.
Image credit: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast_Daniel Boud
Gradually, Belle and the Beast’s relationship shifts. What begins with fear and mistrust soon softens into understanding and companionship. Through shared moments, including tending wounds, reading in the castle’s vast library, and learning to listen, their bond deepens. Eventually, friendship gives way to romance. Their candlelit dinner and waltz to Beauty and the Beast, dressed in a golden gown and blue suit, remain as magical as ever. However, when danger threatens to tear them apart, the race to break the curse delivers genuine tension and emotional payoff.
Performances that dazzle
Image credit: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast_Daniel Boud
At the centre of the production, Shubshri Kandiah returns to Singapore as Belle after her turn as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin in 2019. She brings warmth, intelligence, and quiet resolve to the role, anchoring the show with ease. Alongside her, Brendan Xavier presents a Beast who is both imposing and vulnerable, capturing the character’s inner struggle as his emotional defences slowly fall away.
Image credit: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast_Daniel Boud
Meanwhile, the supporting cast injects the production with energy and humour. Rohan Browne charms as Lumiere, while Gareth Jacobs delivers delightful precision as Cogsworth. In addition, Jayde Westaby radiates warmth as Mrs Potts. On the comedic front, Jackson Head fully embraces Gaston’s swaggering vanity, earning consistent laughs, while Adam Di Martino’s Le Fou emerges as a standout. The ensemble, including familiar face Tanika Anderson, further enhances the production, filling the stage with movement, personality, and scale.
Notably, comedy remains one of the show’s greatest strengths. The script and performances strike a careful balance between romance and humour. Consequently, the theatre frequently erupts with laughter, particularly during ensemble numbers and scenes within the castle.
An audiovisual spectacle powered by technical brilliance
Image credit: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast_Daniel Boud
Beyond the performances, the production’s technical elements truly shine. The set design and stagecraft elevate the storytelling without overpowering it. Scene changes unfold seamlessly, allowing the narrative to glide from Belle’s provincial village to the enchanted castle. Rather than relying on heavy blackouts, transitions are woven into the action, which maintains momentum and immersion.
At the same time, lighting plays a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere. Warm, golden tones heighten moments of romance and wonder. In contrast, cooler, shadowed hues underscore tension and loneliness, especially within the castle walls.
Image credit: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast_Daniel Boud
Completing the experience is a rich, full-bodied sound design. Every lyric and orchestral swell lands with clarity. Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice’s beloved score anchors the production, featuring favourites such as Belle, Gaston, Be Our Guest and the Oscar-winning title song, Beauty and the Beast. From sweeping ensemble numbers to intimate exchanges between Belle and the Beast, the balance between orchestra and vocals remains impeccably controlled.
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A must-see for all ages
Image credit: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast_Daniel Boud
Ultimately, Beauty and the Beast in Singapore delivers nostalgia and exhilaration in equal measure. It combines heartfelt storytelling, sharp comedy, and theatrical spectacle into an experience that feels both grand and intimate. With its strictly limited season, this production offers a rare opportunity for regional audiences to experience one of Disney’s most cherished musicals on stage, and a fitting reminder that true beauty comes from within.
