Beauty and the Beast , Theatre Royal Stratford East, London
Theatre Royal Stratford East, London: You can always rely on the Stratford team to deliver a strong contemporary adaptation of a classic children's story, and this year is no exception. Writer Paul Sirett's take on Beaumont's original novel playfully references issues of immigration, zero hours and gay marriage as Helen Aluko's feisty Belle understandably charms Vlach Ashton's gruff but kindl…