Jewish actor Rubin Matters to understudy leads in Beauty and the Beast
Based on the much-loved 1991 animated Disney film, the story of how book-loving Belle fell in love with a cursed Beast features an all-Australian cast.
The tale as old as time, Beauty and the Beast has returned to Melbourne and has dazzled audiences with its stunning production including cutting-edge technology, Broadway style dance numbers and enchanting melodies.
Based on the much-loved 1991 animated Disney film, the story of how book-loving Belle fell in love with a cursed Beast features an all-Australian cast including Shubshri Kandiah as Belle and Brendan Xavier as Beast.
Produced by Disney Theatrical Group (Aladdin, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Frozen), this new production of Beauty and the Beast brings back members of the original creative team from the Broadway musical to reimagine the story. Olivier Award nominee Matt West directs and choreographs, leading a team that includes original Jewish composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, scenic designer Stan Meyer and lighting designer Natasha Katz.
In the 1980s, Menken, a brilliant composer, worked alongside Jewish lyricist Howard Ashman to develop the music for the Disney film. Ashman and Menken also helped write the music for The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, along with Tim Rice. Sadly, Ashman did not live to see the premier of Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, as he died at the age of 40 from complications from AIDS.
Ashman battled with AIDS throughout the process of creating The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and much of Aladdin. The closing credits to 1991’s Beauty and the Beast were dedicated to him – “To our friend Howard, Who gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul, We will be forever grateful.”
Ashman’s battle with AIDS is speculated to have inspired the music he was creating. Bill Condon, director of 2017’s Beauty and the Beast told the media: “It was his [Ashman’s] idea, not only to make it into a musical but also to make Beast one of the two central characters. Until then, it had mostly been Belle’s story that they had been telling. Specifically for him, it was a metaphor for AIDS. He was cursed and this curse had brought sorrow on all those people who loved him and maybe there was a chance for a miracle – and a way for the curse to be lifted. It was a very concrete thing that he was doing.” Ashman’s legacy lives on through his beautiful musical storytelling that continues reach the hearts of new generations.
The original Australian production opened at the Princess Theatre in 1995 and starred a young Hugh Jackman as Gaston and the late Bert Newton as Cogsworth. The current production is truly outstanding. There is flying scenery as well as 300 costumes and 119 wigs, Belle’s stunning yellow ball gown, which was based on Elizabeth II’s coronation dress, while Lumiere’s flames are real. The show-stopping production number Be Our Guest is illuminated by over 2400 different lights.
Jewish actor Rubin Matters performs in the ensemble as well as the understudy for the Beast and Gaston. Matters said he attended King David School for primary school and remembers always dressing up as Gene Kelly for Purim. Matters went on to study at the Victorian College of the Arts. “My first memory of singing on a stage by myself was actually at a B’nai B’rith singing competition when I was probably around 10 years old. I think I very nervously sang I Love A Piano.”
Beauty and the Beast will play at her Majesty’s Theatre until February 16, 2025. Tickets.
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