MAGNIFICENT scenery, stunning special effects and astounding talent bring the colourful characters of Disney's Beauty and the Beast miraculously to life in this award-winning musical.

The magical tale of a selfish prince who was changed into a hideous beast by an enchantress, and who must learn to love and earn love in return to break the spell, is guaranteed to delight and warm the hearts of thousands of children and adults alike during its 15-week stint at Manchester's Palace Theatre.

Larger than life characters including the beautiful Belle (Dianne Pilkington), smarmy Gaston (Earl Carpenter), his clumsy side-kick Lefou (Drew Varley), ladies' man Lumiere (Stephen Mathews), uptight Cogsworth (Barry James), lovable Mrs Potts (Marilyn Cutts) and of course the Beast (Alex Bourne) transport the audience to a fairytale world where clocks talk, teapots sing and candelabras flirt.

With out-of-this-world sets and costumes, powerful and moving renditions of favourite songs such as Be Our Guest, Gaston and Beauty and the Beast, not to mention the energetic dancing and acrobatics, theatre has never looked or sounded so spectacular.

An emotional rollercoaster of laughter and tears leads to the dramatic climax that will have you coming out of the trance with a warm fuzzy feeling.

Beauty and the Beast is at the Palace until February 8, for tickets call the box office on 0161 242 2524.