Shubshri Kandiah is a rising star of Australian musical theatre and has successively played three beloved mythical princesses.
The latest is Belle in the spectacular new Disney production of Beauty and the Beast the Musical which will bring her to her adopted home city home of Brisbane in February 2024 when the show comes to QPAC after a Sydney season. Playing princesses seems to be her thing and she is revelling in her latest role as Belle.
Major musicals are eagerly anticipated by fans but this one is even more so because the original 1995 Australian production, which starred Rachael Beck as Belle and a young Hugh Jackman as would-be suitor Gaston, never made it to Queensland.
Having been Disney’s guest at a recent Sydney performance, I can vouch that this version ticks all the boxes. The company’s legendary magic and artistry has conjured a stunning design and effects framing the timeless message at the story’s heart … championing diversity with a modern heroine who is kind and caring but equally smart, empowered and assertive.
Shubshri Kandiah starred as Jasmine in Aladdin in her breakout role. Then a redefined Cinderella last year put the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University graduate in the box seat to complete the trifecta as Belle and she is perfectly cast.
There are parallels to the character’s sense of difference and search for a sense of belonging with her own background growing up in Perth as the only child of Malaysian immigrants with Indian heritage.
The 28-year-old is encouraged that her representation is already making a difference to younger generations.
“I do get a fair few messages on social media saying, ‘I didn’t think that this was possible and it’s been really inspirational to see to see you, because it makes me feel like I can do it’,’” Kandiah says. “If you see it, then you think that you can do it as well, and that’s nice. People are seeing themselves on stage and on screen and that’s just reflective of the Australia that we live in.”
Belle’s strength, courage and relatability makes her a role model.
“Belle’s strength is something that I aspire to,” Kandiah acknowledges. “Standing up for what she believes in and not letting herself be pushed around. I really love and respect that quality.”
She describes herself as an “extroverted introvert” but Kandiah might be selling herself short.
Behind her meteoric rise she has worked hard and overcome frequent setbacks. The reason for that fierce drive?
“I’ve really never loved anything as much as I love musical theatre,” she declares.
So rather than giving up when WAAPA, her home state’s legendary training ground, rejected her – not once but three times – she tried elsewhere, and, fortuitously as it turns out, was accepted into the musical theatre degree at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University in Brisbane which has arguably Australia’s pre-eminent professional musical theatre course.
Performing alongside her in Beauty and the Beast is fellow alumni Jackson Head (Gaston) with Emily Corkeron (Swing).
Work now takes her away a lot from the city she has come to love but her heart and home remain in Brisbane where she lives with her long-time partner at Highgate Hill.
“I just love that area,” she says. “It’s beautiful, and very convenient to the theatre. A lovely thing about Brisbane is that there are so many walks everywhere. One of my favourite things is to look on the map and find places that we haven’t been to and just go and explore.”
As much as she and her alter-egos are natural role models, there’s a playful side to Kandiah’s nature that peeks through when given the opportunity. But she is serious about her work.
“I’m the type of person that will work really hard at trying to get better because I hate being terrible at something,” she says. “I think a lot of my classmates can probably attest to this.”
Get InReview in your inbox – free each Saturday. Local arts and culture – covered.
Thanks for signing up to the InReview newsletter.
That attitude got put into action when faced with Beauty and the Beast the Musical’s big tap number. Tapping isn’t her forte but you’d never know that watching her onstage.
“From me trying to attempt the tap in this show, to now, I think we’ve come a long way.”
Beauty and the Beast the Musical plays at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre from February 15 2024
beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au
Support local arts journalism
Your support will help us continue the important work of InReview in publishing free professional journalism that celebrates, interrogates and amplifies arts and culture in South Australia.
Donate Here
