In 1839, a gentleman named George Porter purchased a plot of land in Melbourne for £100, or the modern-day equivalent of more than 20,000 Australian dollars. It remained virtually untouched until the 1850s, at which point it became occupied by offices and shopfronts, and it wasn't until 1880 that it became home to some of our city's earliest cultural events.
After operating as the Hippodrome for a few years, a property developer caught wind of its popularity and decided to turn it into what was at the time the largest theatre in the Southern Hemisphere. It was named the Alexandra Theatre in honour of the then-Princess of Wales, and thanks to the help of several playwrights, theatrical producers and architects, it prospered.
The theatre was renamed His Majesty's Theatre in 1924, in honour of King George V, and then in 1953, it became Her Majesty's in honour of Elizabeth II. In recent history, it's been home to productions including Hamilton and Disney's Frozen.
Address 219 Exhibition St Melbourne 3000
Transport: Nearby stations: Flinders Street; Parliament; Melbourne Central
5 out of 5 stars
From the story’s origins hundreds of years ago, to its transformation into the classic 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast really is a tale as old as time. In its musical form, the production hasn’t been seen in Melbourne since the ’90s, when Hugh Jackman famously performed as Gaston in his first professional role. Fast forward three decades and we’re once again seeing a Melbourne stage transformed into the provincial town and Baroque castle we know so well. Only this time round, the lavish set design is augmented with cleverly integrated digital screens. It’s just one of several updates that ensure this reimagined production of the beloved fairytale keeps up with the times. From the moment the curtain rises, it’s clear this is a large-scale musical with all the belles, whistles and big bucks. Visual splendour is the MO here – think kaleidoscopic costumes, gasp-inducing illusions and spectacular lighting – and it’s easy to see why this show broke box office records at Brisbane’s QPAC. However, all that Disney investment would be useless without the gifted cast. Shubshri Kandiah exudes whimsy-with-a-backbone as bookworm Belle, charming us with her sweet songs and sassy moments – though the folks in her provincial town just don’t get it. Brendan Xavier’s beast is alternately ferocious and boyish. His startled squeals and hair-twirling moments help make Belle’s dramatic change in feelings a touch more believable. Both leads shine in their solo numbers, with Xavier’s ‘If I C
Until 29 Dec 2024 AdvertisingBeen there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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