Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the Musical Lands in Singapore

After a hugely successful run across Australia, the reimagined production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the Musical, is making its only stop in Asia at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, from December 11, 2025, to January 25, 2026. Leading the spectacular production are Shubshri Kandiah as Belle and Brendan Xavier as Beast.

For Singapore audiences, both actors are familiar faces, having previously charmed local crowds in other major Disney productions—Kandiah as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Xavier as Kristoff in Frozen. Now, they reunite to bring one of the most beloved stories to the stage. Esquire Philippines sat down with the two leads in an exclusive interview to discuss their journey with the iconic tale, their magnetic on-stage chemistry, and what makes this production a must-see.

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Brendan Xavier and Shubshri Kandiah during Beauty and the Beast, the Musical's Asia launch at the ArtScience Museum last October 14.

Finding the Magic in a Timeless Classic like Beauty and the Beast

I remember seeing the original film in 1991 in all its animated glory with the dancing candelabra and teapot. But being both in their 20s, Kandiah and Xavier did not exactly see the Gary Trousdale-Kirk Wise version on the big screen. Plus, the original musical didn't launch on Broadway until 1994, when the show was nominated for the Tonys. Yet, the tale's power remains undimmed for both actors.

This Australian production starring Shubshri Kandiah as Belle and Brendan Xavier as Beast is based on the 2021 UK tour. It opened at Sydney's Capitol Theatre in June 2023, then in Melbourne and Brisbane in 2024, and this December 2025, in Singapore as the only Asia stop.

For Xavier, his first taste of the story was the animated classic, an integral part of his childhood. "My sister and I were huge Disney kids, so some of my earliest memories with her were through Disney," he shared.

Kandiah's connection, on the other hand, was more gradual. "I don’t really remember when I first saw the film," she confessed. Her engagement deepened over time, particularly when she encountered the songs from the musical during her school years.

The mysterious rose floating in a bell jar.

When asked about the story’s enduring appeal and its relevance for a modern audience, both actors point to the core message. "I think the messages of don’t judge a book and themes of love and friendship will always be timeless messages and things that people can always take on board and relate to," Kandiah said. Xavier echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the show's timelessness. "Its message and its timelessness. The messages of the story are still so relevant today, and people can learn so much watching this show."

Costume designer Ann Hould-Ward based Belle's famous yellow ballgown on several historic portraits.

The Evolution of Their Characters

Both Belle and the Beast are characters who undergo profound transformations. Kandiah admires her character's complexity, stating simply, "I love that Belle is strong, but she is also kind."

For Xavier, the joy is in his character’s drastic arc. "I love how dynamic the Beast is. He changes throughout the whole piece, and I’m basically a different character at the end of the show than I was at the start, and that’s such a fun journey to play."

This transformation is particularly challenging for Xavier, as he must balance the Beast's outward rage with his internal pain. "I just tell myself that in order to have the payoff of change and growth, you need to start somewhere completely opposite for the character," he explained. "He needs the dark to have the light at the end. His pain comes from insecurity and doubt, and having that be his justification for anger makes it much more interesting than just having anger as a base-level emotion." The physical transformation from human to Beast, complete with costume and prosthetics, also profoundly affects his performance, informing "how I move, speak, and act."

A key element of the show is the evolving relationship, from animosity to a deep connection, between the two leads. Building that bond was surprisingly easy.

"I’m lucky that Brendan is great to work with, so finding chemistry between the two of us was easy," Kandiah shared. "And I think with the transition of hating each other to building a friendship and then falling in love, well, the script does that for us." Xavier credits their off-stage connection: "We just took time to get to know and understand each other as performers and as people, and that translates on the stage."

A Fresh Take and Final Bow

After numerous performances across Australia, keeping the production fresh and exciting is vital. Kandiah highlights the nature of live performance: "No two shows are ever the same, so just making sure I’m staying present and connected to whoever I’m working with. And each audience responds differently to different things, so that might influence our  choices, too." Xavier agrees that their familiarity with the material allows for continuous evolution. "Shub and I always keep it fresh. We know the material so well that it allows us to play and to evolve the characters on stage."

The emotional and vocal demands of the score add another layer of challenge. Kandiah reveals her biggest hurdle is Belle's solo in the second act. "I find 'A Change in Me' more challenging vocally, especially the end of the song, because it sits right in the break of my voice." The song was written four years into the production's run in 1998, specifically for R&B singer Toni Braxton, when she joined the cast to play Belle. It has been included in the musical ever since, including in touring productions.

For Xavier, the musical-only addition, "If I Can’t Love Her," is intense but cathartic. "It allows me to express such complex emotion and feeling in a short time, but it's also so satisfying to nail the end note every night."

Returning to Singapore to perform for a Southeast Asian audience is a highly anticipated moment for both actors.

"I think that this story speaks to so many different people and audiences, and it's gonna be so fun to get to see what Singaporean audiences resonate with and take away from the piece," Xavier mused. Kandiah, remembering her previous Aladdin run, believes the show will be a major hit. "I’m excited to see the audience's reactions and see if different jokes or parts of the show resonate differently."

Their final message is a strong call to action: this is your last chance to see this production—at least, for now. "This reimagined version of the show has bigger-than-ever dance numbers, but is also a show with a lot of simplicity and heart," said Kandiah. "Also, one of the things I thought on our first day of rehearsal was how perfect each cast member was for their roles. And this is our last stop of the tour, so you will not get a chance to see it again."

Xavier summed it up by promising a full-scale spectacle: "It’s a massive Broadway-scale show with everything you love from the movie and more. You’re not going to want to miss it."

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the Musical, runs from December 11, 2025, to January 25, 2026, at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Tickets, with prices ranging from S$70 (roughly P3,100) to S$260 onwards (roughly P11,700), are available through the Marina Bay Sands website.