Disney's Beauty and the Beast, adapted from the Oscar-winning animated feature film, was a big hit at the New Wimbledon Theatre this week and is one of the best shows I've seen this year.

It is the story of Belle, a young girl in a provincial French town, and of the beast, who is really an enchanted prince put under an evil spell which sentences him to death unless he can learn to love and be loved.

Nominated for a Tony award, this is a wonderful show for all ages. The costumes are spectacular, the sets stunning and the cast's energy is infectious, giving the audience scene after scene of well loved musical numbers.

Children jumped off their seats when the growling beast first appeared, but were won over by his gentler, sentimental nature. Belle, his prisoner at first, eventually turns him into a purring pussycat.

There are many fine singers in this production. The Beast is superbly played by Matthew Cammelle, who has just finished starring as the Phantom in the Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre, London.

A very petit Ashley Oliver, who was recently at Epsom Playhouse as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, makes a delightful Belle.

Ben Harlow was a wonderfully dastardly Gaston, the villain determined to make Belle his own, and Susan Humphris, as Mrs Potts, the teapot, was just my cup of tea.

The role of Mrs Potts' charming little boy Chip was played on alternative nights by Liam Buckland and Tyler Fagin. Other fine contributions came from Ben Stock, as the candlestick Lumiere, and Stephen McGlynn, as Cogsworth, the clock.

I saw Beauty and the Beast some years ago when it first appeared in London and it has travelled well. I loved it then - and I love it now!