RYEDALE Youth Theatre are presenting Disney's Beauty And The Beast at the Milton Rooms, Malton, from tomorrow to Saturday, in tandem with Kirkham Henry Performing Arts.

The show is directed and choreographed by Angela Kirkham and her newly appointed assistant director, former youth theatre member Chloe Shipley, while wardrobe mistress Yvonne Young has risen to the huge challenge of creating the costumes, not least for a Wardrobe.

"Once again Yvonne has spent relentless hours at her sewing machine machine day and night on a purely voluntary basis," says Ryedale Youth Theatre chairman Barbara Wood. "The results are simply stunning and we cannot wait to present them to our audiences when the show opens."

Disney has provided a theatrical version of the classic fairy tale from the distant past based on the 1992 Disney film. "The central theme – that we should treat everyone in a decent way, regardless of their appearance and judge them on their character and by their actions, rather than their skin – is as relevant today as ever," says Barbara.

"Beauty And The Beast’s appeal lies both in the power of the story’s message and the method of its telling and, however good a film may be, nothing is ever quite as magical, in every sense of the word, as a stage performance before a live audience."

Madeleine Hudson has stepped in as choral musical director for the company, having worked on Beauty And The Beast for the Disney Corporation and been responsible for the children's rehearsals and played in the orchestra 20 years ago for Beauty And The Beast at the Dominion Theatre.

"I played the Piano part on Beauty And The Beast in the West End and on the UK tour; I sometimes played the Keys second part in London, and I also looked after the children’s' rehearsals in London, as well as being rehearsal pianist for dance and cast rehearsals there and part of a rhythm section trio for technical and dress rehearsals," she recalls.

The Ryedale show comes in the wake of the March 17 release of the new film version, re-telling the timeless tale for a new generation. "We're so proud that former Ryedale Youth Theatre and Kirkham Henry member Scott Garnham, from Malton, was chosen to sing at the London Odeon Cinema premiere in Leicester Square," says Barbara.

"Scott was leading man for many productions with Ryedale Youth Theatre and has since played many wonderful roles in West End shows, and he's now playing the part of Billy’s older brother, Tony, in the touring production of Billy Elliot The Musical."

Meanwhile, Pippa Raine, daughter of director Angela Kirkham, finds herself back at the Dominion Theatre, in Tottenham Court Road, London, in the musical An American In Paris, exactly 20 years after playing one of The Silly Girls in the original West End production of Beauty And The Beast. She appeared in Ryedale Youth Theatre’s first production, Bugsy Malone, 26 years ago in the role of Tallulah.

Tickets for this week's 7.15pm evening performances and 2pm Saturday matinee cost £14, concessions and children £12, from Number One Health and Beauty, Market Street, Malton, and on 01653 600149.