With a royal purple carpet rolled out under the glow of the ArtScience Museum’s iconic petals, the Singapore launch of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast felt like stepping straight into a fairytale. Ahead of its Asia premiere this December, the evening offered an intimate yet dazzling glimpse into the magic to come, complete with live music, glittering costumes, and the show’s stars themselves, whose chemistry and charisma were every bit as captivating as the tale they tell.

Produced by Disney Theatrical Group and presented by Base Entertainment Asia, Beauty and the Beast opens at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands on 11 December 2025 for a strictly limited season, its only stop in Asia. But for one evening in October, a select group of media, guests, and theatre lovers were invited into a storybook world brought to life.

Guests entered to the strains of a live string quartet from the Base Philharmonic Orchestra, performing familiar melodies like “Be Our Guest” and “Belle.” Elegant canapés and champagne floated through the crowd as Belle’s iconic yellow gown stood proudly on display beside the enchanted rose, its crimson glow a reminder of time and transformation, the themes at the heart of the musical.

The night’s special guests, director and choreographer Matt West, resident music director Lucas Hunter, and leading stars Shubshri Kandiah (Belle) and Brendan Xavier (Beast), made their entrance to warm applause. Fresh from Australia’s acclaimed tour, the pair exuded an easy confidence and warmth that immediately lit up the room.

Then came the true enchantment: a preview of the music that has defined generations. Shubshri opened with a soaring performance of “A Change in Me,” her crystalline vocals filling the room with warmth and emotion. Her Belle felt instantly alive, confident, sincere, and brimming with compassion.

Shubshri, who previously played Princess Jasmine in Aladdin during its 2019 Singapore season, spoke about rediscovering another beloved Disney heroine. “Belle has always been a dream role,” she said, her voice soft but assured. “She’s modern to begin with, intelligent, curious, and compassionate. She doesn’t wait to be rescued; she drives her own story. For me, it’s about finding those layers of strength and kindness.”

Added Matt with a smile, “Belle isn’t a princess when we meet her. That’s what makes her so special, she’s the first Disney heroine to lead her own story.”

For Matt West, who first choreographed the original Beauty and the Beast on Broadway in 1994, returning to Singapore decades on was both nostalgic and invigorating. “It’s been 30 years since we first brought this story to life,” he said. “This production reimagines everything audiences know and love, the sets, the costumes, even the illusions, but we’ve kept the colours that people remember. We’ve changed the silhouettes, updated the hairstyles, refreshed the looks, but the heart of it all remains the same.”

As for the Beast, Brendan Xavier, last seen in Singapore as Kristoff in Frozen the Musical (2023), brings a new emotional depth to the role. Brendan delivered a stirring rendition of “If I Can’t Love Her,” his resonant baritone carrying both the ferocity and fragility of the Beast. The emotion was raw and immediate; every note trembled with yearning.

He spoke with an earnestness that mirrored the Beast’s own vulnerability. “I do a full 25-minute warm-up before every show, about an hour and a half earlier than everyone else,” he admitted with a laugh. “It gets me into that mindset. There’s a lot of physicality and roaring, but it’s also about grounding the emotion, finding that gentleness as the Beast learns to love.”

“There’s a real duality to him,” he reflected. “You need the rage and the darkness to make his transformation meaningful. But beneath all of that is fear, insecurity, and that’s what makes his journey so human.”

For resident music director Lucas Hunter, the score’s emotional architecture is what gives Beauty and the Beast its enduring power. “It’s like a sumptuous ten-course meal,” he said. “You get these big, bold numbers like ‘Be Our Guest’, but also the quiet, romantic moments that nourish the heart.”

One of his favourite sequences, he revealed, is the library scene. “It’s the first time Belle and the Beast really connect, you can feel the underscoring of music weaving through that entire moment. It’s intimate, tender, and so full of humanity.”

Matt West agreed: “Amidst all the grandeur and spectacle, simplicity is where the story truly lives. The library scene is just two people discovering each other; it’s the heartbeat of the whole show.”

West also recalled the first time Shubshri and Brendan auditioned. “Sometimes an actor walks in and you just know,” he said. “Brendan had this wide-eyed innocence, and we wanted a younger Beast. When he sang, it was like lightning and we knew we had our Beast. And Shubshri, she had this quiet confidence that melted our hearts. By the time she sang, I knew she was our Belle.”

Shubshri smiled at the memory. “Every actor brings their own life to a role,” she said. “My interpretation was always going to be shaped by who I am. What’s been incredible is having a creative team that encourages that, that helps guide you without ever dulling your instincts.”

Together, the creative team and cast echoed the same message: Beauty and the Beast is not just a fairytale, but a reflection of universal truths. “It’s a story about love, yes,” said West, “but also about joy, patience, and seeing the good inside someone, even when it’s hidden.”

Hunter added, “There’s so much kindness in this show. Every time I watch it, I’m reminded to look for the best in people.” Brendan put it simply: “At its core, it’s about human connection. Every character, from Gaston to Lumière, learns something about love.” And Shubshri, ever radiant, summed it up with a smile: “It’s a story of gentleness and forgiveness. Amidst all the magic, that’s what makes it timeless.”

It was a rare and up-close encounter before the show’s December opening, and both stars radiated the polished glow of Disney’s theatrical magic, from Shubshri’s luminous poise to Brendan’s grounded intensity, to Matt and Lucas’ clear continued enchantment with the show. As Shubshri and Brendan reunited for a heartfelt duet of “Beauty and the Beast,” closing the evening in perfect harmony, their chemistry was tangible, their voices intertwining like two halves of the same soul. The audience rose in applause, visibly moved by the intimacy of the moment, and more than ready to see the romantic tale brought to life this December.

Beauty and the Beast: The Musical plays from 11th December 2025 to 18th January 2026 at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. Tickets available here