Rainford High performs sold-out production of Beauty and the Beast

Talented students from Rainford High and Rainford High Sixth Form recently showcased a four-night sold-out production of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

Running from Tuesday 31 January to Friday 3 February, the performance entertained hundreds of parents, carers and guests who attended the school to watch the work of family and friends; on the stage and behind the scenes.

Beauty and the Beast follows a beautiful and intelligent young woman, Belle, who attempts to rescue her imprisoned father from a mysterious castle. This leads to her encounter with the Beast, a fearsome monster that used to be human who can only become human once again through learning to love and be loved within a certain amount of time.

Students performed classic songs from the musical such as ‘Be Our Guest’, ‘Human Again’ and ‘Gaston’.

The cast, and chorus consisted of over 50 performers and the production had a full band containing a drummer, bass guitarist, brass player, woodwind player and keyboardist. 

The starring roles of Belle and the Beast were played by Laura Hibbert and Harry Lomas. The role of Lumiere was portrayed by Jamie Leahey. 

Mrs Potts was played by Year 12 student Isla Burrows. Isla is planning to study performing arts in the United States of America after her time at Rainford High Sixth Form.

Directed by the drama department’s very own Mrs Abbot and Miss Hett, each night of the production proved to be unforgettable as performers entertained and received standing ovations from the audience. 

Rainford High’s performing arts department seeks to foster all students’ creativity and cultural awareness by facilitating exploration in a wide variety of practical was through an accessible and incise curriculum.

Principal of the school, Mr Ian Young, said: “We are thrilled with the success of the recent Beauty and the Beast production.

“Our students worked incredibly hard to ensure that the show was perfect, and it shows. The whole school community is extremely proud. 

“At Rainford, it’s important that we provide opportunities outside of school for students to explore the performing arts for a lot of them, it’s their passion, and we are so proud to help them pursue and develop that.”