"Even the wigs we use require their own staff of two," enthuses Nic Greenshields, the actor playing the beast in this Disney musical stage show.

For Brighton-based Greenshields, it is clearly exciting to be part of such an extravagant production.

"The set and costumes are fantastic," he says, "and such a mammoth show demands a huge effort from behind the scenes."

The Congress Theatre in Eastbourne provides the first venue for this new production of the Disney classic, which had its first outing on Broadway in the early-Nineties.

This show will tour all over the UK during the next two years and promises to bring big-screen glamour to an old love story.

For Greenshields, the physical demands of playing the beast are tremendous. Performing in a heavy costume and under a layer of prosthetic make-up, which takes an hour and 40 minutes to put on, leaves him feeling as though he has "run a marathon".

But being part of a show which brings Disney magic to family audiences every night more than compensates for his suffering. It is, he says, "the most rewarding role Ive ever played".

The tale of Beauty And The Beast has been re-told in many forms across the world, yet the power of the story and its themes of love, sacrifice and redemption seem to transcend the change of form.

The music for this production includes favourites from the original animated score, including Academy Award-winning songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman.

Among these are the Disney classics Beauty And The Beast and Be Our Guest.

In the past, the show has been nominated for nine Tony awards, including Best Musical and previous productions have been a hit in theatres all over the world.

Tickets £12-£29.50. Call 01323 412000.