Beauty & The Beast – Trinity Players
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Monday 1st June 2026 – Dress Rehearsal
By Nigel Gambles
Photography –Studio 55 Photography
Disney’s timeless tale of love, acceptance and transformation arrived at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall this week as Trinity Players presented a wonderfully entertaining production of Beauty & The Beast.
From the opening scenes, the audience was transported into Belle’s provincial French village before being swept away to the enchanted castle of the Beast. Packed with colourful costumes, memorable songs and plenty of humour, this production delivered all the magic audiences have come to expect from this much-loved Disney classic.
Leading the cast as Belle, Sasha Barnes gave a delightful performance, bringing warmth, intelligence and determination to the role. Her vocals were consistently strong throughout the evening, particularly in the show’s more emotional moments. Just as impressive was the chemistry she shared with Matt Hunt’s Beast, whose portrayal captured both the character’s intimidating exterior and the vulnerability hidden beneath. Together they created a believable and engaging relationship at the heart of the story.
For me, however, the standout performance of the evening came from Matthew Cotter as Lumière. Commanding the stage whenever he appeared, Cotter delivered a charismatic and confident performance packed with energy, humour and charm. His stage presence was exceptional and he lit up every scene he was involved in, earning some of the biggest reactions from the audience throughout the night.
Sam Jones was superb as Gaston, perfectly capturing the swagger, arrogance and larger-than-life personality of Disney’s iconic villain. Every entrance was filled with confidence and theatrical flair, making him a thoroughly entertaining antagonist. Alongside him, Richard McNally-Reilly’s LeFou provided excellent comic support, delivering plenty of laughs with impeccable timing and a wonderfully playful performance.
The supporting cast also impressed throughout. Phil Lines brought plenty of personality to Cogsworth, while Bex Perry delivered warmth and heart as Mrs Potts. Special mention should also go to Amy Homer as Babette, Gemma Parton as Madame de la Grande Bouche, and the talented young performers portraying Chip, Aoife Davies and Lucy Brisband.
Musically, the production was in very safe hands under Musical Director Samantha Hedley, with the cast handling the demanding Disney score admirably. Numbers such as Belle, Gaston, Be Our Guest and the title song were delivered with enthusiasm and confidence, while the ensemble performances added scale and energy throughout.
The choreography from Leigh-Ann James made excellent use of the large company, creating lively and visually engaging production numbers. Director Dan Barnes clearly understands how to balance spectacle with storytelling, ensuring the heart of the story remained front and centre while still delivering plenty of theatrical magic.
Behind the scenes, producer Lewis Wescott, the stage management team, crew, technical team and countless volunteers deserve enormous credit for bringing such an ambitious production to life. The attention to detail in the costumes, staging and overall presentation helped create a truly immersive experience for the audience.
Trinity Players continue to demonstrate why they are one of Sutton Coldfield’s most respected amateur theatre companies. Beauty & The Beast is a production filled with heart, humour and Disney magic, performed by a company clearly passionate about what they do.
A wonderful evening of family entertainment and a fitting reminder that true beauty really does come from within.
