Introduction
Beauty and the Beast is a tale as old as time, a musical romantic fantasy about a young woman named Belle who becomes imprisoned in a castle by a prince who has been transformed into a hideous Beast. Their enchanted castle becomes the setting for one of Disney’s most beloved tales. With beautiful music, a charming love story, and a wonderful cast of characters like Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts, Beauty and the Beast has become a true classic.
The live-action remake of the animated film debuted in 2017 starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast. It became an instant box office smash, grossing over $1.2 billion worldwide. With stunning visual effects, incredible new songs, and expanded storylines, the remake captured the magic and wonder of the original while also providing something fresh for a new generation.
Given the wild popularity and acclaim for Beauty and the Beast, it’s no surprise that stage adaptations were quick to follow. Musical productions began as early as 1994, just three years after the animated film’s release. Since then, Beauty and the Beast has become a staple production for regional theaters, touring companies, and Broadway.
Most notably, a Broadway production opened at the Palace Theatre in New York in 1994, running for 13 years until 2007. With the original Oscar-winning score along with new songs, extravagant costumes and sets, and spectacular theatrical flair, the Broadway version emulated the splendor of the animated film while also distinguishing itself with a style all its own. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning one for best costume design.
So with Beauty and the Beast’s long-lasting popularity across mediums, could the tale still be showing somewhere in London in 2023? Let’s investigate further.
Is Beauty and the Beast currently showing in London’s West End?
London’s West End is one of the major theater districts for musical theatre, like Broadway in New York City. Some of the most popular Broadway and international shows will transfer to London’s West End stages.
After checking the major West End theaters and show schedules, it appears there is no production of the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast currently showing in the West End as of October 2023.
The show did have an extended run from 1997 to 1999 at London’s Dominion Theatre. It then returned to the Dominion Theatre in 2015 for a limited holiday engagement of nearly a year, closing in January 2016. However, the show has not played in London’s West End since then.
So while Beauty and the Beast achieved great success during its previous West End runs, it is not currently showing in any major West End theaters at this time.
Is Beauty and the Beast touring the UK?
Although Beauty and the Beast is not playing in London’s West End, various touring and regional productions may be showing elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Major touring companies will take successful musical theatre shows on the road, allowing them to be seen by audiences throughout the UK when not running in London.
After searching the schedules of major UK touring producers like ATG and First Family Entertainment, there is one professional production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast currently touring:
Touring Company | First Family Entertainment |
Tour Run | August 2022 – August 2023 |
Upcoming Venues | Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent (October 18-22, 2022) Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (November 1-5, 2022) |
This UK tour is an abridged 60-minute adaptation designed for family audiences. It features some of the musical numbers along with story narration.
So while not a full scale production, there is a child-friendly Beauty and the Beast show touring various UK cities over the next year. It may come to a venue near London at some point.
Other productions near London?
In addition to major West End shows and national tours,Beauty and the Beast may be showing at more local theaters in commutable distance from London.
There are many regional theaters, community playhouses, and semi-professional companies within driving distance of greater London. Even if Beauty and the Beast is not currently showing right within London proper, there may be productions in the surrounding home counties.
Here are some upcoming productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast within 50 miles of central London:
Theater | Production | Location | Dates |
Wyllyotts Theatre | Potters Bar Theatre Company | Potters Bar | November 16-19, 2022 |
Rhodes Arts Complex | Trinity Theatre Company | Bishops Stortford | April 20-22, 2023 |
Haymarket Theatre | Excel Youth Theatre | Basingstoke | July 13-15, 2023 |
As you can see, there are a handful of productions coming up this year and next in towns just outside London. So for someone who lives in London and doesn’t mind a short commute, Beauty and the Beast will be showing in local theaters over the next year.
Conclusion
In summary:
– Beauty and the Beast is not currently showing in London’s West End. It last played the West End in 2016.
– There is a family-oriented Beauty and the Beast tour coming to various UK cities over the next year, but not hitting London currently.
– However, there are productions scheduled within commuting distance of London at regional theaters over the next year.
So while Beauty and the Beast is not showing right within London at the moment, there are ways for a Londoner to see this beloved musical fairly nearby through early 2023. The combination of the touring production and local productions provide options to experience the magic of Beauty and the Beast without too far a journey. It just might take a bit of planning and effort!
With Beauty and the Beast’s tremendous popularity spanning over 30 years now, it seems likely the show could return for another West End run in the coming years. For now, audiences must look to productions in surrounding areas to get their fill of this timeless tale. Whichever production you may attend, Beauty and the Beast is sure to be an enchanting theatrical experience for all.