Love of Musical Theatre Leads to Starring Role

• Words Liane Morris

One of the world’s most beloved musicals is currently playing at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. Beauty and the Beast is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions and is a reimagined, brand-new production featuring the iconic songs the original 1991 animated film was known for. With a stellar Australian cast featuring our own home-grown Alana Tranter, this is one magical experience worth the short trek south to Sydney.

The new production of Beauty and the Beast brings back members of the original creative team from the ground-breaking Broadway musical, including Olivier Award nominee Matt West who directs and choreographs, leading a team that includes original composer, Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, scenic designer Stan Meyer and lighting designer Natasha Katz.

The principal cast includes Shubshri Kandiah as Belle, Brendan Xavier as Beast, Rohan Browne in the role of Lumiere, Andy Cook as Gaston, Gareth Jacobs as Cogsworth, Jayde Westaby as Mrs. Potts, Nick Cox as Le Fou, Rodney Dobson as Belle’s father, Maurice, Hayley Martin as Babette and Alana Tranter as Madame.

Alana Tranter, in the comedic role of Madame, who is a matchmaking, witty and sassy wardrobe, hails from Maitland and is no stranger to the Newcastle theatre scene, having honed her craft on our local stages. Indeed, her final role at St. Phillips Christian College, where she attended high school, was in the title role of Belle in Beauty and the Beast

“Performing in the professional Disney production of Beauty and the Beast is a dream come true for me,” said Alana.

“It was my last big role at school and the one in which I first realised that I might have the ability to make this my career. So, with this now being my first principal role, there’s a deeper significance for me, a kind of circular synergy to it. I’m super proud and grateful about it. And it shows that persevering and working on my skills has paid off.”

Alana’s love of musical theatre began when she was nine, and her mother took her to see Annie at the Civic Theatre.

“I knew instantly that that’s what I wanted to do and started singing, dancing and drama lessons from then on.”

It wasn’t long before Alana was playing the role of Annie in a local Maitland amateur theatre company around the age of ten and then again when she was 11 for Metropolitan Players. Michael Cooper, Director of Performing Arts at St. Phillips Christian College, saw her perform, and eventually, Alana earned a Performing Arts Scholarship to pursue her dreams of acting and performing at the school.

“St. Phillip’s Christian College was quite influential to my career. I went there because they had a great reputation for producing fabulous musical theatre. Their drama program was amazing, and I got to really hone my skills.

“My parents were really encouraging and supportive too. My siblings are older and had left home by the time I was in high school, so Mum could drive me to rehearsals three nights a week and wait for me in the car. I have memories of Mum sitting in the car with her portable radio. She drove me everywhere and paid for everything. My parents have been so helpful and encouraging. They share the highs and lows with me. They were here for opening night, and it was really special.”

Now 34, Alana studied at the Victorian College of the Arts, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. Since then, she’s been working as a professional actress and appeared on stage at the Civic Theatre Newcastle in the professional production of Come from Away earlier this year as part of a four-year tour with the show as an understudy.

“Performing Come from Away at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle was wonderful. There has been nothing like it. It was very special – emotional in a good way. To have all of the community that helped me get to where I am in the audience and to see me performing as a professional was very special.

“The effect Newcastle has had on me and my career is hard to sum up in words. It’s where I fell in love with the craft and where I honed my skills. I carry Newcastle with me everywhere I go. I owe a lot to the training and the local industry. It’s a wonderful city for musical theatre. It’s close enough to Sydney – Mum and I would travel by train to see the shows. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Newcastle and all it offered.”

Alana has managed to find time in her hectic schedule over the years to try to give a little something back to her old hometown.

“In 2019 – pre-covid, I was lucky enough to go back to Newcastle to teach a three-day workshop at the Voice Studio in Lambton. It was so rewarding teaching the young people who were just like I used to be. It was inspirational for me.”

Alana is clearly enjoying her experience of ‘owning’ her first principal role in a major commercial musical; the fact that it is an iconic Disney production is a bonus.

“I’m excited to be developing my character. We perform eight times every week, and it’s wonderful to be able to keep working on your character every night, to build your stamina and to really step up. Most actors work towards something like this – it’s the dream. It’s so satisfying to be able to put your stamp on a role. This is one of the first times this version of the show has been done. I got to work with some of the original creatives from the Broadway production, and we’ve developed the character. There is a comedic element to the role, and Madame certainly has some spunk to her. It’s a gift as an actor.

“Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in this production is the fact that I’m an object and that I have to dress up as a wardrobe. Learning how to navigate that has been challenging. I may be biased, but I think my character is one of the best! I’ve had to figure out how to move, open my drawers, and dance. It’s rewarding, though, and the amazing costumes help inform the character and performance.

“One of the things I’ve enjoyed the most is working on such an iconic show with songs that mean so much to so many people. I love watching from the wings when the audience starts applauding before a song even begins. It’s wonderful to be a part of it all, and sometimes I have to pinch myself.

“I’m always learning, and I’m privileged to be working with incredible performers who’ve been treading the boards a long time. Their experience is a wonderful learning opportunity.”

Alana recognises that the Newcastle theatre industry has only grown since she left with more drama schools and opportunities than there were in her day. She has some advice for those young people who may be aspiring to a future in the performing arts industry.

“My advice to others would be to work hard. To do as much as you can. To immerse yourself in theatre and the world. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people. I am always happy to help. Persevere, stay positive, and be a good person to work with. Soak up everything you can in Newcastle. Amateur theatre is just as beneficial as going to classes. Everything you need is here in Newcastle, so use it, kids!”

Beauty and the Beast is a much-loved classic that will fill the hearts of a new generation with fabulous new sets, costumes and cutting-edge technology. There are performances in Sydney scheduled through until 24 December 2023, and prices start from as little as $50 for selected midweek performances. From Sydney, the show will tour to Brisbane, opening in February and then to Melbourne, opening in June. Tickets are on sale now exclusively through Ticketmaster.