Doha
Disney’s Beauty and The Beast premiered in Doha with a colourful and captivating performance at Qatar National Convention Centre's (QNCC) main theatre.
Being staged until December 19, the show in Qatar is part of an international tour to various countries across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
As one of the most appealing and longest-running Broadway shows of all time, the performance is expected to attract a large number of spectators both children adults in the country.
“Disney’s Beauty and The Beast is the first original Broadway musical show ever coming to Qatar,” organisers claimed in a press statement.
The show’s world tour is composed of 40 actors on stage using more than 1,000 costume pieces. It is performed on a lavish stage set with colourful lighting and entails an enormous technical work – making it one of the most complex touring theatre productions on the market.
The team have earlier performed at destinations such as Singapore, Thailand, Macau, Abu Dhabi, Italy and Turkey to entertain huge crowds at each show.
At a press preview yesterday, many of the familiar scenes were performed on stage by its talented cast led by Briana Rapa who plays “Belle” and Mark Beyer who plays “The Beast.”
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast tells the touching story of a prince who is transformed into a hideous beast as a punishment for his cruel and selfish behaviour, and an adventurous young woman named Belle whom he imprisons in his bewitched castle.
To become human again, the Beast must earn Belle's love before it's finally too late. With her good heart and her natural grace she wins the hearts of the Beast’s servants before the beast himself falls for her.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is written by Alan Menken (music), who won eight Academy Awards for his score of Pocahontas, Little Mermaid and Aladdin; Howard Ashman (lyrics), one of the most renowned playwrights in the 80s who worked closely with Menken to produce popular movies including Little Shop of Horrors; and Tim Rice (lyrics), one of the most renowned film and musical playwrights of all times.
Since its premier on Broadway in 1994, the popular Disney show had been presented to more than 30mn spectators in almost 120 cities, earning a total of more than $1.7bn.
In Doha, two shows will be played today, at 3pm and 8.30pm. A family show is set tomorrow at 11am, followed by regular shows at 3pm and 8.30pm.
Timings for the other performances are: December 15, 8.30pm; December 16, 3pm and 8.30pm; December 17, 3pm and 8.30pm; and December 19, 11am (family show), 3pm and 8.30pm.