Beauty and the Beast: Newcastle Theatre Royal

SPIKING classical ballet with a cheeky fresh flavour, this Northern Ballet production has a romantic, quirky score including music by Débussy, Saint-Saëns and Bizet which is thoroughly enjoyable, even if it relies a little too heavily on a synthesised organ – whereas the beautiful sound of a live harp was a real treat.

The story comes long before "that" Disney film and the well-choreographed plot means even those of us not fluent in the language of ballet can understand what is going on – even if I was a little lost with the dilapidated tour bus, which Beauty’s newly-poor family decamp to having been thrown out of their home by debt collectors.

The look is unusual. Our beast, played with Simian aplomb by Ashley Dixon, is mildly S&M in his leather harness and his green and black castle echoes the super costume of the Evil Fairy (La Fée Magnifique). Beauty for this performance was a stunning Dreda Blow.

The strength of this production is very much in the well-rounded performances of the dancers, specifically the three sisters, the shopping mad duo being lots of fun and their bookish, virtuous sister combining modesty with an inner strength which gave her a fierce authenticity, rather than a drippy goodness. Hironao Takahashi celebrating 25 years with Northern Ballet gave a compassionate and dignified performance as the father of the girls.

Visually, some elements – the rose bower, the green dappled light – were memorable. Others I found less polished. What is remarkable is the scale of what this company continues to achieve.

* Runs until Saturday, November 12. Box Office: 08448-112121 or theatreroyal.co.uk

Sarah Scott