Winchester Cooperative Theater's newest production, Beauty and the Beast, was full of fun props! So many, in fact, that the best needed to to be put into a list. Here are the top 10 props from Beauty and Beast! Disclaimer: This list is not in order; all of the props were great!
The beast's magical mirror was really cool. It used to be a tennis racket, but then had the netting taken out. It was painted golden, with matching flowers. Also, cute little lights were put on the inside edge, and they glowed when the mirror was being "used."
The alternate wardrobe's mirror (I know, another mirror!), which she held during the song Belle, was very pretty. The item had a magenta patter, and was decorated with beautiful golden lace.
The candles that all of the background objects held during Beauty and the Beast were wonderful! They lit up the stage perfectly, because the lighting was mellow and romantic- perfect for a waltz. Also, candles have an old-timey aesthetic sometimes that the show definitely benefited from.
Human Babbette's feather duster was enchanting! It foreshadowed her object form well, and was overall just a cute detail.
Gaston's Gang's swords were so fun! They looked like small cutlasses, which was cool. Also, the fact that every gang member had a matching one was adorable!
One of the biggest successes when it comes to the show's props was Gaston's heads. I know that that sounds very strange, but during Gaston, some of the silly girls held up big paper cutout's on sticks of his head! The props staff had actually photoshopped images of the actors that played Gaston to make these. Truly, these props were hilarious and incredible!
The jeweley tray that the jeweler carried around in Belle was fantastic! It had many pieces of faux jewelry upon it, and looked very professional. Besides, it fit its character so well.
Another great item used in the song Belle that was the fishmonger's basket of fish. There was stuffed animal fish inside of it, and those were wrapped up in fishing net! Overall, that prop looked pretty real, and that was just spectacular.
The tailor, who appeared mostly in Belle, had sensational props too. They carried, in a basket, multiple rolls of cloth, and a huge pair of scissors! This imaginative set of props added amazingly to the fantasy aesthetic of the whole show.
The golden forks and spoons, which were used in numerous enchanted castle numbers, were extraordinary. They bopped up and down, or swayed in the air. How, though? Kids were holding them! These props did not only look really cool, but they showed the audience how much of a group effort the show was. Even people who did not have any lines were working hard to complete scenes!