A Magical Afternoon at the Bob Hope Theatre
Quest Reviews Beauty and the Beast
Our Quest monthly outing this March took us to the charming Bob Hope Theatre in Eltham — a true gem of a venue that buzzes with energy from the many local, non-professional groups that call it home. This time, the draw was extra special: one of our very own Questies, Steve Clark, was starring as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric and lovable inventor father. Naturally, we turned out in force to cheer him on!
Beauty and the Beast is a much-loved classic, and this production by Eldorado Musical Productions didn’t disappoint. From the moment the curtain rose, we were swept into a world of enchantment, music, and heartfelt performances.
Belle played with grace and poise and completely embodied the princess vibe. Her beautiful singing voice carried effortlessly through the theatre, bringing both strength and tenderness to the role. Among the rest of the principal cast, standout performances came from Cogsworth and Lumière, whose comic timing and on-stage chemistry kept the audience smiling. And a special mention must go to the little boy who played Chip — full of energy and charm, he gave a remarkable performance, even while peeking out from a giant teacup!
Of course, we have to talk about Steve. His portrayal of Maurice was full of warmth and heart. The duet with Belle was a particularly emotional highlight — touching, sincere, and clearly resonating with the audience. We were all so proud.
While the production had many high notes, we did feel for the actor playing Gaston. A questionable choice of footwear seemed to hinder his performance — he looked more like a man struggling in novelty heels than a confident villain! It clearly affected his movement and projection, but he gave it a valiant go nonetheless.
The big ensemble numbers were impressively staged, especially for a non-professional group, and the atmosphere in the theatre was fantastic. Judging by the many smiling faces around us, the audience thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
One lovely touch was seeing the cast outside afterwards, happily taking photos with families and fans. It wasn’t just a treat for the children — it was a thoughtful, generous way to end the evening and really showed the heart of this theatre community.
Supporting local theatre is always worthwhile, and even more so when it involves a friend. Being there for someone on stage means the world — and we know Steve felt the love!
Bravo to Eldorado Musical Productions, and a huge congratulations to Steve. You made us proud!
