Beauty and the Beast

"**Beauty and the Beast**" is the third episode of the first series of the British children's television programme *Julia Jekyll and Harriet Hyde*. The episode was directed by Jim Eldridge and written by show producer Jeremy Swan. It was first broadcast in the UK on BBC One on 13 October 1995.

In the episode, Julia Jekyll (Olivia Hallinan) is selected to play the role of Beauty in the Rocket Academy production of *Beauty and the Beast*, all the while still trying to suppress the effects of her transformation into Harriet Hyde (John Asquith).

## Plot

At home, Julia tells her mother Moira and father Jerry about how Mr. Rocket is going to announce the school play, before heading into the kitchen to take her elixir off the cooker. Moira and Jerry are both excited, with the latter saying he 'likes a bit of a drama', just as the kitchen door is blown off its hinges by an explosion.

At the Rocket Academy, Mr. Rocket dreads going to school for the day, much to the bemusement and disappointment of his mother, who points out that as headteacher he must attend. As the pupils ready the assembly hall for Mr. Rocket's announcement, the pupils discuss previous school productions, such as an adaptation of the 1974 film *The Towering Inferno*. Julia describes this particular production as 'too ambitious', with Roger pointing out that the highlight was the arrival of the fire brigade.

As the students exit the assembly hall, the Blister Sisters begin their attempts at extortion, wanting 75 pence from each student to ensure an enjoyable evening - for themselves, as they plan on attending a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's *Starlight Express*. The bell rings and Mr. Rocket ushers the pupils and Lester Blister into the assembly hall. Memphis notices that the rest of the teachers are absent, as they had dinner with Mrs. Rocket the night before. Mrs. Rocket claims none of them had the stomach for 'good, basic Cuban cooking'. Julia passes taking her elixir to the laboratory, and is accompanied by Mrs. Rocket who has the lab key. Mr. Rocket praises Julia's work ethic, and claims that she 'never changes'.

In the laboratory, Julia and Mrs. Rocket discuss the play, with Julia calling it great fun to be somebody else. At this exact moment, she turns into Harriet Hyde and terrifies Mrs. Rocket, who runs screaming back to the assembly hall with Harriet in pursuit.

Back in the assembly hall, Mr. Rocket explains that the lack of staff means all classes will have to be taken by himself, Mr. Blister and his mother. At this point, Mrs. Rocket runs into the hall screaming in fear, shouting that 'she' has returned. As the staff quiver in fear, Julia enters the hall having reverted back to her natural self. Mr. Rocket congratulates Julia and his mother for their acting, and segues into his announcement of the year's school play - the fairy tale of *Beauty and the Beast*. Memphis gives Julia the role of Beauty in the play, while the role of the Beast is filled by Mr. Blister, and his nieces are cast as the Beasts' 'hideous goblin slaves'. Mr. Rocket also states that he will open the performance with a rendition of 'Jailhouse Rock' in honour of his idol - the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.

At the Jekyll household, Moira and Jerry describe how Julia is perfect for the role of Beauty, while 'Harriet' continues working on an antidote in the kitchen. After changing back into Julia, she begins reciting her lines for the play, leaving Moira and Jerry in tears. Julia tells the pair how Roger is playing the handsome prince, leading Jerry to praise the notion of someone changing into something else. Julia transforms into Harriet and runs back into the kitchen, with Moira pinning it down to nerves.

At the Rocket Academy, the other pupils commend Julia for already knowing all her lines following a rehearsal, as well as Mr. Blister's natural fit as the Beast. Mr. Blister overhears and emerges from the assembly hall in an embarrassing costume, claiming that he won't be a subject of ridicule as Mrs. Rocket attempts to sew on more slime. The Blister Sisters appear in their goblin makeup and costumes, complaining about their lack of material and silly costumes. At this point, Mr. Rocket appears in a ridiculous suit. He asks that someone remind Julia to wear her glasses during the performance to avoid falling offstage, to which the Blister Sisters cunningly agree and scarper. Mr. Rocket asks why Mr. Blister isn't in costume.

Sharon and Nicola loiter outside the science lab, fully intending on not reminding Julia about wearing her glasses. Julia leaves the science lab in costume, explaining that she has been making resin jewels for her headdress to help keep her glasses in place, thwarting the Blisters' plan. She re-enters the lab and closes the door behind her, transforming into Harriet. The Blisters realise that Julia hasn't paid the pair her 75p and storm the science lab to take it off her, only to be thrown out by Harriet.

In the dressing room, Mrs. Rocket finds Mr. Blister and brings in some extra costumes to hang up. A knock at the door is followed by the appearance of Mr. Rocket, bringing extra chairs. A further two knocks herald the arrival of a heating engineer and his assistant Charlie. Another knock, and the Blister Sisters enter the now overcrowded dressing room wanting to complain, and to change their roles from goblins to fairies. Mrs. Rocket declines as yet another knock at the door precedes Sarah Slocombe bringing sandwiches - tainted by the mucus of slugs and worms from her clearing up the horticultural class. Disgusted, a final knock on the door heralds the arrival of Roger, who has brought his pet rat for a role in the play. Julia opens the door to the dressing room and everyone runs out, followed by the rat.

Memphis sings 'Jailhouse Rock' at the performance that night with the parents, including Moira, Jerry and Mrs. Rocket, dancing wildly to his music amid confused sitting pupils. During the interlude, Moira praises Memphis' versatility, and both she and Jerry express their excitement about seeing Julia in the lead role. Mr. Blister appears as the Beast in full costume, including a terrifying mask that scares everyone else in the corridor.

In the final scene of the play, after fumbling his lines, Mr. Blister as the Beast lies down to die. The Beast turns back into the handsome prince, with Roger emerging from under a cloak. However, as Julia is about to kiss Roger, she transforms into Harriet Hyde, startling the audience. Roger runs away, Mr. Blister rolls offstage, and the Blister Sisters are thrown off into the wings. The audience gives a standing ovation as Harriet curtsies and the curtains close.

After the show, Jerry and Moira commend the special effects and the 'new girl's flair for dramatics. Mrs. Rocket heads into the dressing room to congratulate Julia, but screams in horror offscreen at the sight of Harriet, causing everyone in attendance to fall backwards in a domino effect as the credits roll.

## Cast

* Julia Jekyll - Olivia Hallinan
* Moira Jekyll (credited as 'Mum') - Victoria Williams
* Jerry Jekyll (credited as 'Dad') - Bill Fellows
* Memphis Rocket - Simon Green
* Mrs Rocket - Ann Emery
* Lester Blister - Robert Portal
* Heating Engineer - Stewart Permutt
* Nicola Blister - Tiffany Griffiths
* Sharon Blister - Karen Salt
* Roger - Anthony Tobias
* Sarah Slocombe - Emma Barnett
* Mrs Smith - Christine Lohr
* Mr Slime - Philip Philmar
* Harriet Hyde - John Asquith

## Crew

**Executives:**

* Director - Jim Eldridge
* Writer - Jeremy Swan
* Producer - Jeremy Swan
* Executive Producer - Anna Home
* Musical Director - Jonathan Cohen
* Casting Directors:
	+ Jane Deitch
	+ Angela Grosvenor
* Makeup Designer - Elaine Smith
* Costume Designer - Rosemary Cheshire
* Production Designer - George Kyriakides

**General production staff:**

* Production Assistant - Lesley Taylor
* Assistant Floor Manager - Michael Towner
* Production Manager - Claire Gerschwiler
* Studio Resource Manager - David Massen

**General post-production staff:**

* Videotape Editor - Andy Quested
* Vision Mixer - Carol Abbott

**Script department:**

* Script Editor - Marilyn Fox

**Camera and lighting department:**

* Camera Supervisor - Nigel Saunders
* Lighting Director - Alan Jeffery

**Art department:**

* Production Buyer - Pauline Seager
* Graphic Designer - Pete Wane
* Art Director - Nick Harding

**Special and visual effects:**

* Visual Effects Designer - Roger Turner
* Video Effects - Dave Chapman

**Sound:**

* Sound Effects - Keith Eldridge
* Sound Supervisor - Richard Partridge

## Trivia

* This episode is the first to feature sped-up footage, taking place when Julia opens the dressing room door and the occupants are scared out by Roger's rat.
* This is also the first episode to feature a musical number performed by Memphis Rocket as he performs Elvis Presley's 'Jailhouse Rock'. The name 'Memphis' is a deliberate reference to Memphis, Tennessee - the birthplace of rock 'n' roll and the location of Presley's Graceland mansion.
* Within this episode is the first reference to Mrs. Rocket's terrible cooking.