MUSICAL: Beauty and the Beast at Worthing Connaught Theatre

WORTHING Musical Comedy Society can certainly promise family entertainment when its production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast opens at the Connaught Theatre.

WORTHING Musical Comedy Society can certainly promise family entertainment when its production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast opens at the Connaught Theatre.

In the 10 principal parts, there will be no fewer than three families of entertainers represented, explains company spokesman Andrew Taylor.

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“A real chip off the old block is Jack Roberts, who plays Chip, the boy who is turned into a tea cup.

“Jack started as a member of the WMCS Youth Company and has appeared as an evacuee in Blitz!, young Tommy in Tommy and as Mamillius in The Winter’s Tale for Rainbow Theatre Company.

“His love for the stage is no doubt due to his father Andy, who is playing Lumière.

“Andy needs no introduction to Worthing audiences, having played, among his many roles, Max Bialystock in The Producers and, more recently, Higgins in My Fair Lady.

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“He has also directed several shows for WMCS, including West Side Story (winning an accolade of excellence from NODA) and Oklahoma. Next spring, he will be directing the musical South Pacific for the company.

“Next is Emma Mulkern, who is sharing the leading role of Belle.

“Emma joined the company for West Side Story and is joined by her mother Susan playing Mrs Potts (the tea pot).

“She sings everyone’s favourite, the title song, Beauty and the Beast. Susan has played many leading roles for the society, including Millie in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Rose in Gypsy and Aunt Ella in Oklahoma.”

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Completing the family feel is Andrew’s son, Oliver Taylor, who plays Gaston. He started as a member of the WMCS Youth Company and has gone on to play Will Parker in Oklahoma, Tulsa in Gypsy and Carmen Ghia in The Producers.

Andrew, who plays Cogsworth the clock, has played many leading and character roles for the society over the years and was most recently seen as Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast opens at the Connaught Theatre for an extended run from Saturday, October 16, to Saturday, October 23. Tickets on 01903 206206.

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