BEAUTY& THEBEAST

David Nixon’s

Storybook

Prince Orian is very handsome, and doesn’t he know it! One day a poor beggar-woman came to his castle asking for food, but he just laughed at her ugliness.

Suddenly, the beggar-woman revealed herself as a powerful fairy, La Fée Magnifique, and cursed him – turning him into an ugly Beast.

A kindly fairy, named La Fée Luminere, felt sorry for the Beast and told him that the curse could be lifted, if he could be kind and loving to others whatever their appearance.

Ashley Dixon as the BeastPhoto Bill Cooper

A rich merchant had three daughters. Two of the daughters loved to shop but the third child, Beauty, found more joy in a book than fancy clothes. One day money-collectors came to their house and revealed that the Merchant had lost all his money and the family were left homeless.

Guided by magic they discovered an abandoned bus deep in the woods, the perfect place to set up home.

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The Merchant went to find food and saw a beautiful white rose growing in a castle garden. He took it knowing it would make Beauty happy.

Then he was set upon by the fearsome Beast. Sure that he would die, the Merchant had a vision of his daughters. The Beast saw this vision and said he would spare the Merchant’s life, if he sent one of his daughters to the castle in return.

Ashley Dixon as the Beastand Darren Goldsmith as Beauty’s fatherPhoto Bill Cooper

Back at the bus Beauty dreamt of a handsome prince. She woke from her sleep as her father returned. The sisters listened to their father’s tale. Beauty didn’t want him to choose, so whilst everyone slept she stole into the woods.

When Beauty arrived at the castle, she was shocked that the Beast moved more like an animal than a man. Although she was afraid of the Beast, she saw there was more to him and a friendship started to grow.

Kenneth Tindall as Prince Orian andMartha Leebolt as BeautyPhoto Bill Cooper

One night, Beauty became scared of the Beast and hid from him when he ate from the plate like a dog and leapt from the table, crawling on all fours.

Angry at himself, the Beast looked at his gruesome reflection but Beauty reached out to let him know he was not alone.

La Fée Magnifique was angry at their friendship, she said that unless someone could fall in love with him while he was still the Beast, then his curse should not be lifted.

Ashley Dixon as the Beast andMartha Leebolt as BeautyPhoto Bill Cooper

The Beast showed Beauty all the kindness he could – giving generous gifts which brightened up the castle. She began to understand that how someone looks doesn’t reflect who they are in their heart. But one day she had a vision of her father ill at home and begged the Beast to let her go back to him.

In spite of his fears the Beast let Beauty go; he was sad and alone once again.

Ashley Dixon as the Beast andMartha Leebolt as BeautyPhoto Bill Cooper

But then Beauty came running back to tell the Beast she loved him and in that moment the spell was broken!

At first confused, Beauty soon understood that Prince Orian was her Beast and embraced him. They celebrated their marriage and lived happily ever after – as people do in fairytales worth telling.

Martha Leebolt as Beauty andKenneth Tindall as Prince OrianPhoto Bill Cooper

BEAUTY& THEBEAST

David Nixon’s

Cover: Martha Leebolt as Beauty and Ashley Dixon as the Beast, photo by Jason Tozer. All other photos by Bill Cooper. Registered charity no 259140. Company registration no 947096. VAT no 202 0374 70. Northern Ballet Limited registered in England and Wales. Company limited by guarantee and share capital.

northernballet.com/beauty

‘Perfect for ballet novices and veterans alike.’

What’s On Stage

‘A proper fairy tale ending. Super.’

Daily Express

‘An ideal starting place for ballet beginners’

The Scotsman