Huddersfield Light Opera company’s ambitious production, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, opens on Saturday. In the third of a series, Examiner reporter KATIE GRANT goes behind the scenes to look at what it takes to put on a big show.

A KNICKERBOCKER glory, a plastic stuffed pheasant, 75 different-coloured wigs, a box of fireworks and a giant teacup.

Just a few of the things which the Huddersfield Light Opera Company have had to get their hands on for their up-and-coming production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Chris Brearley, the company’s stage director, told the Examiner the costumes, set and props need to be “just perfect” and nothing less will do.

Chris, 47, is such a stickler for detail that even the wig for the actor playing the part of the prince has been shipped over all the way from the United States.

“Everything’s going to look exactly like it is in the cartoon,” Chris said.

“It is all very opulent and the set is in purple like the film with all the costumes custom-made to match.”

The amateur theatre company, which celebrates its centenary next year, used to make all its own sets for their musical theatre shows and pantomimes but now they are able to purchase professional back-drops.

The set this year has 40 different scenes and each night they will let off £100 of theatrical fireworks.

Chris said: “We’ve come a long way with building up our resources and being able to afford a set like this.

“We’ve got to keep our standards up – especially this time because it’s a Disney production that we’re putting on.

“The children will expect exactly what they see in the film.

“The costumes will look just like they are in the film and we’ve even got costumes for all of the enchanted objects like knives, forks and spoons, a teacup, a rug, napkins and salt and pepper shakers.”

There are 75 wigs in total needed for the show – some of which have been taken from the company’s wardrobe department and others which have been bought in.

Even though the costumes, wigs and set are professionally made for the Beauty and the Beast show, creative Chris has turned his hand to making some of the props.

One of his creations – a chocolate cake with cherries on top that looks good enough to eat – was made using brown frame sealant from the Pound Shop.

The Quarmby man said: “And I’m always looking around TK Maxx for stuff we can use.

“The same with the costumes – this year we’ve got all the costumes custom made but the ladies in the costume department are always looking out for stuff especially for the pantomimes we put on each year.

“They’ve got a good eye and they’ll see something which they think would be great for a future production so they just buy it and it goes into our wardrobe department.”

l The show opens on Saturday, April 30, and runs to May 7 at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.