Tale as old as time on stage in April

EMIHLE MBANGATHA

Clarendon High School for Girls (CGHS), in collaboration with Selborne College, is set to enchant audiences this April with a stage production of Beauty and the Beast, which celebrates the timeless tale’s themes of courage and personal growth.

This is the school’s biggest production for 2025 and director, Ashleigh Daines said it has taken incredible effort, creativity, and talent from the cast and teachers involved. Daines opted to adapt Beauty and the Beast for the stage because the story offers valuable lessons in empathy, acceptance and personal growth — making it an ideal educational experience for the viewers and the young cast.

Daines hopes the show teaches pupils to embrace difference, diversity and challenge preconceived notions.

“It [the show] focuses on the transformative power of love and in this way teaches pupils the significance of making meaningful connections and standing up for what is right,” she said.

“The production fosters teamwork and collaboration as pupils from different schools come together to bring this magical story to life, providing a rich opportunity for learning both on and off the stage.”

Rehearsals for the show began in late 2024, with singing rehearsals running from October to November. They resumed in January 2025, initially with three sessions per week. As the performance dates approached, rehearsals intensified to five times a week, including evenings and weekends, to ensure the cast was well-prepared and confident.

Daines commended the pupils on the hard work they have dedicated to the show thus far while co-ordinating rehearsals around the demands of academics and cultural commitments.

Grade 12 pupil Zenande Mquqo portrays Belle, a kind-hearted, intelligent, and independent young woman who values inner beauty and seeks to understand others’ true essence. Zenande said channeling Belle requires, not only mastering her mannerisms but also being able to see the world through her eyes because she believes in seeing the good in others and placing value on character above appearance.

Zenande and her character both share an undying love for reading however that is where their shared interests stop, as Zenande said she finds it difficult to be as outgoing and people orientated as Belle is.

She added: “Her beauty is not only external but also internal, as her character is pure at heart, having the capacity to care about and even love those who are outcasts in society.

“Belle is able to adapt in situations of discomfort and hold on to her identity despite being an outcast in society as well and I find inspiration in her ability to be composed, be kind, and stay true to who she is despite the cruelty and injustice that surrounds her.

“Her version of femininity is different from the way we see femininity today, so I had to embody civility and femininity that is much softer and lighter than in our society.”

Selborne College matric pupil Hephzibah Qutywa, playing ‘Beast,’ portrays a character of a prince that was cursed and transformed into the monster by a witch because of the arrogant and selfish person he was.

He said that his own caring and sincere nature mirrors the Beast’s transformation as he forms a genuine bond with Belle.

One of his biggest challenges was embodying the character’s anger and aggression. “Constantly being furious and shouting was uncomfortable at first, but I’ve learned to do it,” he said.

Fellow Selbornian, Mlevi Mavila plays in the infamously self-obsessed, Gaston.

He said Gaston is an egotistical megalomaniac who believes that he is the hero of the story, although his selfish desire for Belle ends up leading to his own demise.

Mavila said Gaston embodies toxic masculinity and its distorting effects on men. Adapting to the character’s inflated ego was a challenge, but he enjoyed playing such an over-the-top persona. “Gaston is every woman’s worst nightmare, so bringing that to life is both easy and a lot of fun,” he said.

He noted that Gaston’s leadership skills were something he could relate to. “Leadership is a skill I’ve been developing for years, so commanding authority like he does feel’s natural to me.”

The show is running from April 10-12 and tickets can be bought online on Computicket; R150 adults, R120 for pupils and opening night special for R100 for pupils in uniform.