Introducing Year 11 student, Thomas Ratcliffe, as the charming French candleabra ‘Lumiere’, and Year 12 student, Ever Cunningham, as the uptight and loyal butler ‘Cogsworth’. The famous odd couple serve as Beast’s companions as they staff the enchanted castle and, ultimately, help him learn how to love.
We chatted to them about their experience in the upcoming Secondary musical and what they’re looking forward to about the performances.
What is special about this show?
Ever – We’re doing things a little differently. Everything about it is really beautiful, whether it be the details in costumes or the set and props.
What do you love about your character?
Thomas – Beauty and the Beast is altogether one of the most serious Disney musicals. Lumiere, my character, helps the musical find a lighthearted, comical side with his deeply exaggerated, French accent and witty quips and in that way is vital for the audience’s enjoyment of the production experience. I am very proud to have been chosen for this role.
Ever – I like the way he brings together the castle staff as a family. He might seem really dry, but he has some really funny moments.
Why should people come to the show?
Ever – We’ve been working really hard and it’s a really fun time with a touching message behind it.
Thomas – I think people should come to the Beauty and the Beast musical because it is a portrayal of a part of the Mueller community that isn’t always in the forefront as a great number of people involving themselves in the musical don’t have the chance to partcipate in lots of other areas in the school. I think the musical is a great showcase of the ability of many different facets of the Mueller Arts community including acting, yes, but also dancing, music, tech and backstage work.
Have there been any memorable rehearsal moments?
Thomas – In the show I have to carry a candelabra that is composed of many different candlesticks. In one of the rehearsals I was delivering my lines and acting as usual but accidentally ran into a pillar I dropped one of my candlesticks mid-performance. I carried on but to my distress, I had dropped another candlestick within a minute. By the end of the show, my candelabra was just unrecognisable.
Do you have a favourite moment from the show?
Ever – The ‘Be Our Guest’ number – you’ll see why!
Thomas – I enjoy working with my comedic counterpart, Cogsworth, in some of our routines and jokes and such. I think that would be something to look out for in the production. My favourite scene involves a situation where Cogsworth and I have to fight off Gaston’s lackey, Lefou and the asylum keeper, Darque, in a swordfight.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Thomas – After rehearsing for so long, I usually feel quite prepared just pre-production. However, it can still feel quite nerve-racking just before I am about to perform and so their are a few things I do to combat nerves pre-production. One of these is to make up alternate intentions and backgrounds for the characters in the story and playing out how the story could occur otherwise.
Ever – Pray! And I like to have a quiet moment to myself to prepare my mind.
What excites you about the performances?
Ever – Hearing the audience laugh and enjoy what we’ve worked so hard on. It will be especially exciting for me because it will be my last school musical.
Thomas – I like when I have learnt all my lines and cues for a scene and I can see a major improvement from when I hadn’t known these things. When I have reached this stage in a production I feel it gives me more flexibility in acting and makes it easier to focus on finer, technical matters. It’s a very rewarding experience, putting on a play, especially when you can look in hindsight on how much you and others have put in to achieve the goal of putting on a show.
We can’t wait to see the end result of all their hard work too! Tickets are selling fast so click below to book your seats and experience ‘Beauty and the Beast’ with us!
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