- Obviously, I was excited about playing Belle from the very beginning, but the first time I really had to pinch myself was when we first rehearsed the opening song 'Belle'. Finally, I was able to sing those lines that I had always dreamed of singing ('Little town, it's a quiet village...'); it's a moment I won't forget.
- I am extremely lucky to be in the particular cast I'm in. The enchanted objects were cast very well; Mrs. Potts is, in real life, incredibly warm and motherly...Lumiere is slender and does a fantastic French accent, etc! Additionally, they are wonderful people and we have formed a friendship that carries over to our interaction on stage. I always enjoy going to rehearsal for this reason.
- I have learnt to ballroom dance! Even if it's only for 32 bars, it's something that I've always said I'd try, but never got around to. I absolutely love performing 'the' dance and feel like a princess.
- I'll never forget seeing and trying on my gold ballgown for the first time! I can't believe how perfect it is; it's actually quite true to the movie gown, with some embellishments. I was almost equally as excited the day that we first saw the enchanted objects' costumes. They are incredibly ornate and detailed; Madame La Grande Bouche's cupboard doors even open to reveal working drawers!
- You would think that listening to the songs of Beauty and the Beast over and over again would make me tire of them, but the opposite has happened; I've developed a new and deeper love for the music of this show. I've always got one song or another stuck in my head, and generally I'm humming some little line.
- I am pleasantly surprised by how I have learnt to understand and embody Belle's emotions. We rehearsed the Beast's death scene the other night, and as I was singing the reprise of 'Home', I got completely choked up and teary! All of a sudden it was all very overwhelming. I now understand why people love acting so much; the experience of becoming someone else for an hour or two is fascinating.
And of course, the cast has been particularly enjoying this little gem:
It's become a bit of a running joke...definitely makes rehearsing the scene a hilarious experience!
I'll be sure to update once the show opens!
- Belle
