Once upon a time in a faraway land, an Enchantress turns a cruel, unfeeling Prince into a hideous Beast. To break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose.

Ten years later, in a small village far below the Beast’s castle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman, Belle, yearns for adventure (“Belle”). On his way to show his invention at a fair, Belle’s father, Maurice, gets lost and seeks shelter in the Beast’s castle. Enchanted servants – Cogsworth, Lumiere, Babette, Mrs. Potts and Chip – try to make Maurice comfortable, but the Beast imprisons the intruder.

Meanwhile, back in town, Gaston, the village brute, proposes to Belle, to the dismay of Les Filles De La Ville, who fawn over him. Belle turns Gaston down (“Belle – Reprise”). When Belle notices Gaston’s sidekick, LeFou, wearing her father’s scarf, Belle runs off to search for him. Belle finds her missing father at the castle and offers herself in exchange for his freedom. The Beast agrees, sending Maurice back to the village, and then escorts Belle to her bedroom, where she considers what she has done (“Home”). Seeing their guest forlorn, Mrs. Potts and Madame de la Grande Bouche comfort Belle (“Home – Tag”).

In the village tavern, Lefou and the Villagers try to lift Gaston’s spirits (“Gaston”). When “crazy old” Maurice barges in claiming that he has seen a Beast, Gaston and Lefou form a plan to win Belle (“Gaston – Reprise”).

At the castle, the servants coach the Beast on how to act like a gentleman. When Belle refuses to accept the Beast’s invitation to dinner, he loses his temper and tells her to starve. However, Lumiere and the SERVANTS offer Belle an extravagant feast anyway (“Be Our Guest”). After, Cogsworth gives Belle a tour of the castle and she wanders off into the forbidden west wing. The Beast discovers her there and loses his temper, which causes the frightened Belle to flee the castle.

In the forest, Belle is attacked by wolves. The Beast comes to her rescue, but is injured in the process. Having a change of heart, Belle helps the Beast back to the castle and dresses his wound. The servants recognize something different between Belle and the Beast (“Something There”) and express their hope that the spell may soon be broken (“Human Again”). The Beast asks Belle to have dinner with him and they share a romantic evening together (“Beauty and the Beast”).

Despite this new friendship, Belle longs to see her father. Using the Beast’s magic mirror, Belle sees that Maurice is in trouble, so the Beast frees her. Belle finds Maurice in the forest and takes him home to the village, where Gaston has arranged for Monsieur D’Arque to take him away. Belle proves that her father is not crazy by showing the Beast in the magic mirror. Jealous of Belle’s affection for someone else, Gaston whips the villagers into a frenzy. They storm the castle to kill the Beast (“The Mob Song”). While the servants defend the castle from the villagers’ attack, Gaston confronts and stabs the Beast in the west wing. The Beast, while still much stronger than Gaston, refuses to kill him and Gaston runs away in shame. Belle arrives and tells the dying beast she loves him (“Home – Reprise”), which breaks the spell. The Beast transforms back into the Prince, the servants become human again, and they all live happily ever after.

Below we have the music and lyrics for all of our principal roles should you wish to practise for your auditions at home.

We also would like to highlight that you can audition for any of the principle roles irrespective of gender. However, we won’t be changing the gender of the role or the name of the character or the pronouns associated with the character, as this would be a violation of copyright. 

Please practise performing the musical numbers, using acting through song suitable for the character – don’t just sing the song be the character!

Each audition will require performing short sections of one or more songs and parts of a script. As we have discussed in class, everyone will state their part preferences at the audition yet you will also be asked to read in for other characters whilst your class mates audition for their chosen role also.

Please see below which sections you will sing for each character during your audition.

Belle – Will sing a small section of “Belle”, “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast”

Lumiere, Mrs Potts, Cogsworth, Chip, Babette and Madame de la Grande Bouche – will all sing a small section of “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast”

Gaston – Will sing a small section of Mob song

Lefou – Will sing a small section of “Gaston”

Beast – Will sing a small section of “Something there”

Maurice and Monsieur D’Arque – Will not need to sing

Beast 

The Beast is a young prince who was hideously transformed by the Enchantress’ s spell. Casting for size is not as important as choosing a student who can handle this complex character: a dictator, a hurt child, a hero, a defender and a smitten prince. Cast an actor who can deliver a range of conflicting emotional states. Although the Beast does sing a small bit during “Something There” and the “Finale,” this is truly an acting role (and his lyrics can be spoken if you cast a non-singer). If you choose to cast the Prince separately from the Beast, the Prince would end up singing the Beast’ s lines in the “Finale.”

Lumiere

Mrs Potts

Mrs. Potts is the castle’s endearing cook who is becoming a teapot. The actor you cast needs a strong but sweet melodic voice and should be able to convey comforting, maternal qualities amidst the chaos that is breaking out in the castle.

The audience must warm to Mrs Potts. She needs to have a special bond with the actor playing Chip as this actor will be playing her child. We need someone who can play a loving mother figure to all the characters keeping everyone in check. A soft warm and loving character who can still be a strong leader! 

Cogsworth

Cogsworth is the British major-domo of the castle who is becoming a clock. Like all of the castle’s Servants, he shows a fatherly compassion for Belle yet is perfectly submissive to the master, the Beast. Cogsworth enjoys feeling like the boss and has no problem getting into it with Lumiere. Cast a strong actor and singer who can act in charge.

Chip

Belle

Belle is a smart, confident young woman from a small village. You will want a strong singer and actress who is able to stand up to Gaston while showing compassion for Maurice, the Servants and eventually the Beast. 

Gaston

Gaston is strong, pompous and dim-witted and will do whatever it takes to win Belle’s hand. Gaston has all the confidence in the world but lacks the humility to balance it. Finding a strong singer and actor is more important than physical size and stature for this role. He has to be able to sell his big eponymous number with gusto and arrogance as well as lead the Villagers in “The Mob Song.” 

Lefou

Lefou is Gaston’s equally dim-witted lackey. This character needs to be Gaston’s foil and should double the laughs for them both. Lefou and Gaston need good chemistry. Lefou should be able to sing, act and dance. 

Maurice

Maurice is an eccentric inventor, but more importantly, the adoring and protective father of Belle. This non-solo singing role is perfect for the student who can have fun interpreting this “crazy old man” while conveying some very strong emotions.

Monsieur D’Arque

Monsieur D’Arque is a sinister townsman who works for Gaston. Cast an actor who can believably exude his sinister personality. Although Monsieur D’Arque has few lines of solo singing in “The Mob Song,” this is primarily a non-singing role, so look for a solid actor first.