Beauty vs. The Beast

Beauty vs. The Beast was Rogue Theatre’s first ever touring production.

Inspired by Jean Cocteau’s “La Belle et La Bete” and with a twist of spectacle and modern thrill the production drew influence from Tarantino, old time cabaret and Grimms fairytales.

The production was supported by a live DJ and drumming and planted the first seeds of our unique style.

Based on poetry and text by Anna Maria Murphy the production had a rich atmosphere which combined humour, the macabre, pathos and a contrast between the (comically) everyday and the fantastical.

The production toured 20 venues and gave Rogue a real sense of identity.

Beauty vs The Beast was co-directed by Angelina Boscarelli and Bec Applebee (Kneehigh’s Red Shoes, Bec Applebee’s Oh Mary).

*Review of “Beauty vs. The Beast” in the “West Briton”.

“Beast of a show is a real beauty”

Review Mylor Theatre, Truro/The Acorn, Penzance.  Review by Frank Ruhrmund.

With this production Cornwall-based Rogue Theatre more than lives up to its claim of being a company committed to taking risks in creating brave theatre, to come up with a show which could not be more risky or brave.

While many fairy tales have an unsettling dark side, a subversive element, which threatens if not frightens the reader, listener or watcher, this also happens to be a particularly sad story and with skill and considerable daring, directors Angelina Boscarelli and Bec Applebee, with the help of Anna Maria Murphy’s often poetic text, captures and conveys a strong sense of sadness in a striking production which is as seductive as it is stylish.

Passionate and physical – some of the acrobatics are daunting enough to make one wince – accompanied by a heady mix of live music, played on what is surely a king sized ghetto blaster, goodness knows what the decibel count is, and comprised of everything from beat box to ballet and disco dancing, not forgetting several slices of broad good humour, magical and mysterious it is magnificently played by its six splendid storytellers.
Beauty V’s The Beast by Rogue Theatre

Beauty V’s The Beast by Rogue Theatre