Sometimes in life, you just need a little bit of Disney magic and the current production of Beauty and the Beast delivered that in spades.
Sadly the Wyvern Theatre isn't quite big enough for large-scale touring musicals like Beauty and the Beast, so a trip to the Bristol Hippodrome or another nearby theatre is required.
But believe me when I say that the journey from Swindon down the M4 to Bristol is well worth it for those who are able because the House of the Mouse really has pulled out all of the stops for this show.
This is good because it is, well, it's a tale as old as time, and one that has toured before - but this run's spot-on casting, bucketloads of theatrics and clever live stage magic, as well as wondrously colourful and inventive sets help to elevate it.
Lumiere's bedazzling 'Be Our Guest' is a glitz and glam, everything and the kitchen sink, performance that is as good a musical number as you're likely to ever see on stage.
Just behind it was the highly kinetic, slapstick and deeply elaborate performance of 'Gaston' that had so many moving parts it's a wonder the ensemble performed it so smoothly.
Courtney Stapleton and Shaq Taylor had the honours of taking on 'the beauty' and 'the beast' respectively and both were superb from the moment they're introduced.
There wasn't a child in the audience who wasn't scared of the Beast when he captures Belle's father, or who didn't love the castle inhabitants like Cogsworth and Mrs Potts - played by the X-Factor winner Sam Bailey invoking her very best Angela Lansbury.
But adults' and children's jaws were dropped alike for several moments as well, like when Belle's stunning sparkly ballgown was revealed and when the Beast transforms back into a man before our very eyes.
Some moments were a little rough, with the lesser-known musical exclusive songs, although impressively performed, not hitting the sweet spot of nostalgia and the ending confrontation feels a little rushed.
But other than that, and those are honestly minor quibbles, The Beauty and the Beast is an utterly joyous and perfect musical with more than enough spectacle to entertain the whole family and then some.
The show is on until November 12 at the Bristol Hippodrome and tickets can be purchased here - https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/disneys-beauty-and-the-beast/bristol-hippodrome/
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