A Rare Beast of a Concert – Disney is coming to Manchester this Easter
| 7th March 2018
Disney fans are in for a treat this Easter, as a special screening of Beauty and the Beast (2017) accompanied by a live orchestra comes to Manchester in March and April. Disney in Concert: Beauty and the Beast will stop at Bridgewater Hall as part of a nationwide tour. The live-action version of the classic 1991 animation stars Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast amongst an all-star ensemble including Emma Thompson, Ewan McGregor, and Kevin Kline. It grossed over $1 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2017. VIVA spoke to promoter Ollie Rosenblatt about the tour and the importance of “event cinema”.
Beauty and the Beast will play at Bridgewater Hall with a live orchestra
Why did you choose Beauty and the Beast?
We work with Disney a lot, and when this film came out in cinemas it was such a roaring success we thought that it was a natural fit to take into concert halls. It’s such iconic music, beautiful, and a great story; it’s universally loved across all generations. Watching it on a huge screen with that beautiful music played by an orchestra on stage as a live experience is very unique.
Is it easy to organise screenings with the film companies?
I find them very good to work with and deal with. We get on very well. They want to know that their brand is looked after in the right way and we have a good relationship with them.
How easy is it touring around with the orchestra and setting up a big screen?
It’s not easy at all! We’re touring a 60 to 70-piece orchestra around the country with a massive screen, all the projection equipment, the sound and lights that go with that. It’s a big project and you need a really good team to be able to do that.
Ollie Rosenblatt promotes Disney in Concert
How long have you been involved in these screenings?
We’ve been promoting concerts for seven years now but we started this type of event with The Godfather, which was our first project of this kind, about two years ago. We took that show to Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol and then we started doing longer tours when we saw the demand for it. I’ve always loved orchestras and film music, and I’ve always loved the art of film-making and the intrigue. I think it’s fascinating how music can enhance and change a scene.
“Event cinema” like this has become very popular in the last few years, alongside companies such as Secret Cinema. Why do you think that is?
I think it’s because people want a different way of experiencing film. People are intrigued and they search for new ways of pushing the boundaries (of cinema). People are willing to spend money on a new and exciting experience. Live entertainment is a fantastic thing as it gives people the opportunity to create something different.
What’s the atmosphere like at your screenings?
It’s electrifying! People hold such fond memories of the film and they get swept away by this live orchestra playing such a beautiful score. Some people have never heard an orchestra before, so it provides a whole new experience to groups who wouldn’t normally go to a concert. It’s incredibly exciting.
I’ve heard you’re doing Star Wars for your next project…
Star Wars is coming to Manchester Arena in December
Yeah, we’re bringing the first film, Star Wars: A New Hope to Manchester Arena in December. We’re doing that on a 20 metre screen, with John Williams’ iconic score played by a 100-piece orchestra. It’s a real must-see for Star Wars fans.
Why would you recommend Beauty and the Beast?
I think it’s a beautiful story, the music is sensational; you get the sit in a gorgeous concert hall with proper acoustic, listening to a massive orchestra bringing Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s brilliant songs to life. You’ll watch and listen to the film in a whole new way.
Disney in Concert: Beauty and the Beast Live will play at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on 23rd March and 5th April. For all tour dates and tickets visit https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/