We know what to expect when a big, musical show moves into The Point; magnificent sets, brilliant costumes, tuneful songs, good singers and dancers, and star quality leads. All of these are present in Beauty and the Beast (produced by the Walt Disney company), and here they combine to irresistible effect.  Gerry Colgan reports.

There are some beguiling add-ons to the familiar story. Heroine Belle is desired by Gaston, the hunkiest of hunks whose vanity casts him as a nasty antidote to syrupy romance. In the beast's castle, the servants are all gradually being dehumanised to their basic functions: clock, torch-holder, doormat and so on - a highly comic concept.

So the story and the characters are a hoot, and the lyrics by Tim Rice and Howard Ashman are clever fits for Alan Menken's melodious music.

The whole affair seems to be in overdrive as the mobile sets do their swirling thing; wolves race through forests, the castle interior shifts miraculously from pillared hall to shelved library to dining-room and elsewhere.

A village pops up now and again by way of contrast, costumes are inspired and the lighting is atmospheric.

A little about the huge cast is in order. Annalene Beechey (Belle) is a beautiful actor-singer and Alistair Robins (Beast), with less to do, does it exceedingly well. Ben Harlow's Gaston is a thoroughly rotten delight, and Billy Boyle as Belle's father has an appealing quality and can carry a tune.

Runs to June 1st. To book: 01-8363633