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Play Guides
What is Beauty and the Beast about?
Restaurants and bars near Her Majesty's Theatre
How to get to Her Majesty's Theatre
Guide to seeing Beauty and the Beast in Melbourne
Disney's Beauty and the Beast is a timeless classic reinvented for the stage. Here’s everything you need to know about this breathtaking musical that runs until 29 December 2024.
Beauty and the Beast has returned to Melbourne almost three decades after its original Australian premiere. This much-loved classic will fill the hearts of a new generation, with its spectacular new sets, costume designs and state-of-the-art technology.
The original production of Beauty and the Beast played for more than 13 years on Broadway and toured to 37 countries worldwide. It originally opened in Australia at Melbourne's Princess Theatre in 1995, starring a young Hugh Jackman as Gaston and the late Bert Newton as Cogsworth.
Reuniting under the leadership of Olivier Award nominee Matt West, this season brings together members of the original creative team, including composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, scenic designer Stan Meyer, costume designer Ann Houl-Ward and lighting designer Natasha Katz, who collectively received five Tony nominations.
Here’s your complete guide to seeing Beauty and the Beast live on stage in Melbourne. Check out our other theatre and musical guides for other shows playing in Melbourne.
Everything you need to know to see Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Melbourne
What is Beauty and the Beast about?
The musical Beauty and the Beast is a timeless romance based on the 1991 Disney film, which in turn was inspired by the fairytale La Belle et la Bête by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, published in her fairytale collection in 1740.
In Beauty and the Beast, an arrogant young prince is cursed by an enchantress along with his servants. The prince turns into a hideous Beast and told he must learn to love and be loved before the last petal of his magical rose falls. After her father is imprisoned by the Beast, spirited and bookish village girl Belle enters the Beast's castle and agrees to take her father's place. With the help of the Beast's enchanted servants, Belle begins to draw the cold-hearted Beast out of his isolation.
More: The best musicals and theatre shows in Melbourne
Belle is played by Shubshri Kandiah and the Beast by Brendan Xavier in the Melbourne show
Is Beauty and the Beast suitable for children?
Beauty and the Beast is recommended for ages 6 and up.
Infants under the age of 2 are permitted free of charge provided they do not occupy a seat and you obtain a complimentary babes-in-arms ticket on the day of the performance.
Please note this production contains theatrical smoke, fog effects, gunshots, violence and strobe lighting.
Who is in the Melbourne cast of Beauty and the Beast?
The stellar Australian cast of Disney's Beauty and the Beast comprises:
- Belle - Shubshri Kandiah
- Beast - Brendan Xavier
- Gaston - Jackson Head
- Lumiere - Rohan Browne
- Cogsworth - Gareth Jacobs
- Mrs Potts - Jayde Westaby
- Le Fou - Nick Cox
- Maurice - Rodney Dobson
- Babette - Hayley Martin
- Madame - Alana Tranter
- Chip - Jared Bickerton, Bibi Brudan, Ronin Cooper Jackson, Zanda Wilkinson, Cru William York Lee
- Ensemble - Tanika Anderson, Sarah Bourke, Cameron Boxall, William Brougham, Virginia Cashmere, Phoebe Coupe, Amba Fewster, Anthony Garcia, Luke Haberecht, Brady Kitchingham, Chloe Malek, Bree Stephens, Anthony Sheppard, Luke Ward
- Swing - Richard Astbury, Emily Corkeron, Emma Dawson, Tim Haskayne, Amy Hopwood, Rubin Matters, Ryan Ophel, Grace Williams.
The Beast's enchanted servants help Belle in her quest to melt the Beast's cold heart
How long does Beauty and the Beast go for?
Beauty and the Beast has a 2.5 hour runtime, including a 20-minute interval.
It's recommended you arrive up to 40 minutes prior to the show commencing to allow enough time to go to the bar before you take your seat.
How long is Beauty and the Beast showing for?
Beauty and the Beast will run from 27 June 2024 until 29 December 2024.
Where is Beauty and the Beast showing?
Beauty and the Beast is playing at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne.
How can I buy tickets to Beauty and the Beast?
You can purchase Beauty and the Beast tickets from Ticketek. Tickets purchased from any other sources may not be valid, so make sure to buy only from Ticketek.
Ticket prices start from $50, and vary by the seat and the performance you choose. For the best value tickets, consider midweek evening performances outside of holiday periods.
Beauty and the Beast is a timeless romance
Restaurants and bars near Her Majesty's Theatre
There are many great Melbourne CBD restaurants to enjoy before a show at the Her Majesty's Theatre, including Fancy Hank's (American BBQ) on Bourke Street, Tippy-Tay (Italian) on Flinders Lane and Bodega Underground (Mexican) on Little Bourke Street. Chinatown is also a short walk to Her Majesty's Theatre.
Some of the Melbourne CBD's other best cocktail bars are close to Her Majesty's Theatre.
Beauty and the Beast is playing at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne
How to get to Her Majesty's Theatre
Conveniently located right in the heart of Melbourne CBD, Her Majesty's Theatre is easily accessible via public transport. Either catch a train to Parliament Station or catch the 86 or 96 trams to Russell Street Stop 7.
If you’re more inclined to drive, there are many Wilson Parking car parks nearby, including on Flinders Street, just a few minutes’ walk from the theatre.
If you are coming via public transport, use a free journey planner app that can map out the most efficient travel route to Her Majesty's Theatre.
