Sue Goodman reviews The Wayfarers’ production of Beauty And The Beast at The Brewhouse, Taunton. 

WOW! The Wayfarers are back at The Brewhouse, and better than ever. 

"Beauty and the Beast", under Brian Epps' inspired direction, uses traditional and modern elements to create a wonderful show, fizzing with energy from start to finish.  Special praise must go to the young TWYGs, all your applause was very well deserved.

Kim Barnard and James Venning, as Belle and her Prince, looked the part, sang beautifully and moved well; the Prince's alter ego, the Beast, was movingly portrayed by Andy Cooper, who also has a fine singing voice. 

Stuart Lloyd gave a splendidly traditional Madame Fifi, full of fun and good clean smut. 

Nick Whyborn's Elvis-inspired Gustave, Chris Holman's outrageously camp Marcel and a very acrobatic Jacques from Dan Woodmason took comic silver in this show, but comedy gold goes to the ugly sisters - Rosie Taylor and Emma Jones as a terrible teenage twosome with amazing accents somewhere between Bristol and Bridgwater, and no inhibitions at all. 

Music director Matthew Holmes used live instrumentalists and recorded backing tracks, seamlessly integrated.

All the principals sang with panache, and the chorus sound was especially bright and keen.

The dance numbers, choreographed by Sheila Driver, were excellent.  No-one, even the youngest, put a foot (or a hand) wrong, and the boys danced as well as the girls!

Sets and costumes were gorgeous - lighting effects were dramatic, and mishaps were few.

Scene changes were perhaps delayed, but this is a small price to pay for such a brilliantly complex show.