The 2025 musical was a whole-school collaboration, bringing together pupils from drama, dance, music, lighting, costume and set design, sound and technical teams from across the year groups.
Director of Performing Arts Vicki Green praised the cast and crew for “a show of extraordinary quality,” adding: “The dedication, professionalism and joy they have brought to every rehearsal and performance has been nothing short of inspiring.”
The title roles were shared across the run, with Anna B and Ella A as Belle and Rory L as the Beast.
The trio led a large ensemble through Alan Menken’s demanding score, including crowd-pleasing numbers “Be Our Guest” and “If I Can’t Love Her”.
Among the supporting cast, Sofia T-C, Libby R, May D and Zola S appeared as Les Quatre Filles, with James W and Bertie H as Gaston and Le Fou.
The enchanted household featured William V as Cogsworth, Lizzy O as Lumière, Tilly H as Babette, Izzy O as Madame de la Grand Bouche, Caitlyn H as Mrs Potts and Macy G as Chip, while Charlie F took on the role of the sinister Monsieur D’Arque.
A pop-up book-style set enabled castles, cottages and forests to appear in seconds, supported by detailed lighting and sound design and a busy backstage crew. Vicki Green said the technical teams achieved “seamless transitions”, while the pit orchestra handled the score “with assurance and flair”.
Audience members described the show as “one of the most memorable performances of all time” at the school.
Reflecting on the production’s themes, Vicki Green said: “Beauty and the Beast is a story of devotion, despair and redemption as old as time. This cast has shown that when young people come together, they really can create something amazing.”
The performance concluded with a full standing ovation for the cast, musicians and backstage team, a finale that left many in the theatre feeling that Broadway really had met Blandford, if only for a few enchanted evenings.