The hunt is on for a leading man in a staging of one of the world's most popular musicals, Beauty and the Beast, in Moscow later this year. Preparations for the premiere are in full swing – but casting the Beast has become one of its biggest ch

A love story between a beautiful girl and a hideous creature, the most popular version of the story was published in France in the 18th century.

Modern depictions include feature films, cartoons and even TV series. However, many feel the stage adaption of the story is the most spectacular.

First staged in Broadway in 1994, the musical has been translated into 16 languages and shown in more than a hundred cities around the world.  More than 30 million people in different continents have already seen the show.

Now it is coming to Moscow – and the organisers expect it to be just as popular with Russian and international audiences.

Its director, Jan-Eric Hulsman, believes the fairy-tale is not just for children.

“We aim for a grown-up audience,” he said. “It is possible to take your children to the show, but it’s not a children’s show. It’s a new version in which we try to search for dramatic sides of this horrible fairy-tale.”

Show-biz stars such as Toni Braxton and Hugh Jackman have featured in international productions. The Russian Belle has already been announced but the search for the Beast continues.

The nationwide casting process for the part of the Beast started at the end of May and the winner will be announced in the middle of August.  

The premiere of the show is scheduled for October.