Disney brings ‘Beauty and the Beast’ to Toronto’s Casa Loma

by W. Andrew Powell
Beauty and the Beast preview event at Casa Loma

Beauty and the Beast opens in theatres on March 17, but well ahead of the premiere, Walt Disney has created a special sneak peek of the film at Casa Loma in Toronto, and it’s open all Family Day long weekend for fans to get in the spirit of the new live action film.

During a special preview last week, media and VIPs were treated to live music, food and cocktails, plus a sample of the entertainment and the costumes on display, and it was a wonderful evening at Toronto’s castle.

In the Library, there was a veritable feast with Crêpes Suzette, a table filled with cheeses, meats, shrimp, and salad, and a dessert table with teacups and saucers for coffee or tea. There was even a bar in each room for some special Beauty and the Beast-themed cocktails.

Beauty and the Beast at Casa Loma
Beauty and the Beast at Casa Loma
Belle's dress
Belle's dress
Beast's rose
Beast's rose

The highlight of the room though, and in the Conservatory, were nine costumes used in Beauty and the Beast, which were designed by Academy-Award-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran, and worn by the actors in the film. There was Belle’s blue dress, and costumes for Gaston, Le Fou, Cogsworth, Garderobe, Lumiere, Plumette, Cadenza, and Mrs. Potts.

Another highlight, at the back of the Conservatory and glowing in a tall, glass vase, was the Beast’s rose. People lined up to take their photos with the glowing rose, and it certainly brought a lot of smiles to people’s faces, but there was more to see throughout the castle.

In the Great Hall, ballroom dancers and an aerial artist put on a little show, and fans can check out performances throughout the long weekend. The castle’s tunnel, which leads to the stables, has also been transformed into an “Enchanted tunnel” with animated videos and art from the film, and it leads to an arts and crafts room with a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.

Finally, the Casa Loma theatre is showing scenes from the film and features animated character portraits on the walls.

The exhibit is the biggest that Walt Disney has ever put on in Canada, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to get up a little closer with what is certainly going to be one of the biggest films of the year.

The Beauty and the Beast exhibit runs until Monday, February 20, and Casa Loma will be open for extended hours during the event. Use the promo code, “Be Our Guest” to get 20% off the admission price online or at the Casa Loma box office.

Enchanted Tunnel
Enchanted Tunnel
Ballroom dancers
Ballroom dancers
Casa Loma
Casa Loma
Beast's rose
Beast's rose
Character costumes
Character costumes
Casa Loma hallway
Casa Loma hallway
Tea cups
Tea cups
Crepes Suzette station
Crepes Suzette station
Costumes
Costumes
Costumes
Costumes
Fancy cocktails
Fancy cocktails

About Beauty and the Beast:
The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic Beauty and the Beast, a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s father; Josh Gad as Le Fou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Audra McDonald as Madame De Garderobe, the wardrobe; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Hattie Morahan as the enchantress; and Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Enchanted tunnel and ballroom dancer photos courtesy of Walt Disney Canada.

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