beast transformation...

how do they do it?
is there a video or a link?
could someone please explain?

is the beast in the last scene a stunt double? when the light go out for 2 seconds at the end of the transformation does the real beast go up in the young prince costume?

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There is a clause in the contracts of cast members that says they cannot disclose any details of how this takes place. Seems a little much to me, but it's true.

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someone has got to know on this board...

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That is true...I spoke with a former cast member once who said they can't even say how it was done until several months after it closes.

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I know how it is done - I was in the show, but like someone said above, there is a clause in the contract that says we cannot say how it is done. Let me just say, enjoy the magic of not knowing how it is done. It makes it more special not knowing.

I FOUND IT =D
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=390605#1258034


"This is the final word. The actor playing the Beast goes off just before the castle is stormed to have his makeup removed. While that scene is happening the actor playing the beast is having his makeup removed. The Beast during the fight is a double in a mask. The double also says the , "It doesn't matter now, let them come line." But it's recorded. The actor playing the beast puts on a mask with an open bask and very simple light gloves with a sort of cape wraped around the Prince outfit. He takes his position on the castle platfrom while it's back is facing the audience during the Gaston fight. When the beast stumbles in after the fight and the sets turns around thats where they switch back to the original actors. Then he's raised up on the lift and while in the dark has to quickly remove the mask and gloves and cape and whip them as hard as possible over the back of the castle wall.
So the same actor that played the beast also plays the prince. It is not double cast."

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haha true.

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When I first saw the show at 18 or 19, I was amazed and couldn't figure out how they did it all. When I saw it again at 24, I think I pretty much figured it all out. Still enjoyed it a lot, but the magic seemed more like "Disney Creativity" to me.
Broadway Blog: From the Mouth of Alan Jay Lerner

I saw the current UK tour (not a Disney Productions one) and when the beast was transforming I clearly saw him taking the mask off by strobe light. I hope the Broadway version is more spectacular

The actor does not put a new mask on and fling it over their head while spinning on the lift... the actor is wrapped in the cape and the head you see in Belle's lap is a puppet head that is dropped and folds into the cape during the transoformation.

Two hints.... in the program with pics of the OBC, the picture of the gaston/beast fight is clearly captioned that terrence mann is NOT the Beast in the fight. If you sit above stage height, you can see a slot open in the floor of the west wing that a mechanical arm extends through...