Out Takes

5 Apr 2017

Queering Beauty and the Beast

Arts, TV & Film

This week on OUT TAKES we celebrate this year’s most anticipated theatrical release: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

When we spoke with Dr Eleanor Byrne last year in our Queering Disney special, she called Belle ‘the original gay diva’ and said that there’s something ‘inherently queer’ about BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. So we ask what it is about this tale as old as time that is so ripe for queer interpretation.

Our guest is Dr Rebecca Do Rozario, lecturer in contemporary fairy tales and children’s literature. We look at the story’s literary origins, its queer themes, and the many gay readings that it lends itself to.

We also ask: who sung it better? With so many great tracks and a wonderful orchestral score, we look at whether Disney’s live action remake gives its 1991 classic a run for its money.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:38 — 23.6MB)

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