‘Beauty and the Beast’ UK tour to start in August 2021

Dates have been confirmed for five theatres throughout 2021.

Following the news that Beauty and the Beast would tour the UK next year, initial dates have been announced. The production will begin at Leicester's Curve Theatre from 25 May 2021, with performances confirmed to November 2021.

The Disney Theatrical president has also confirmed that there will be notable creative differences. This includes a new tap routine for "Be Our Guest" and new costume design for Belle.

Courtney Stapleton will play Belle, previously in Six and Dear Evan Hansen, with Emmanuel Kojo as the Beast. Tom Senior plays Gaston, with Gavin Lee as Lumiere and Sam Bailey as Mrs Potts. Samantha Bingley will play the Wardrobe, with Emma Caffrey as Babette by Emma Caffrey, Nigel Richards as Cogsworth, Louis Stockil as Le Fou, Martin Ball as Maurice and Chip by Joshua Smith/Theo Querico/Manasseh Mapira.

Rob Roth directs, with a book by Linda Woolverton and music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Tim Rice respectively. Choreography is by Matt West, with scenic design by Stan Meyr, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward and lighting designer Natasha Katz.

Ahead of the production, Menken said: "Beauty and the Beast is a testament to the genius of my late friend and collaborator Howard Ashman, but the show's richness comes from the combination of Howard's style and that of the brilliant Tim Rice, with whom I expanded the score to give voice to the Beast... Audiences the world over want to return to the world of Beauty, which continues to amaze and humble those of us who created it... I cannot wait to see how Rob Roth and this glorious creative team bring the whole universe of Beauty and the Beast to life once again."

Performances of Beauty and the Beast will begin in Leicester, followed by Dublin, Bristol, Liverpool and Edinburgh respectively.

This "tale as old as time" sees Belle imprisoned in a castle, later greeted by anthropomorphic household items. Together, they work to free themselves and become human again, with Belle falling in love with the Beast. Songs include "Human Again", "Home" and "Be Our Guest".

Beauty and the Beast was last seen in London from 1997- 1999 at the Dominion Theatre. The cast included Julie-Alanah Brighten as Belle and Alasdair Harvey as the Beast. According to Dom O'Hanlon, Beauty and the Beast changed the future of Broadway and the West End. 

Photo credit: Beauty and the Beast artwork (Photo courtesy of Disney Theatricals)

^{Article Updated: 30 April 2021}