Published: Tuesday, 26th January, 2010 12:31pm

Disney contract is dream come true for Selkirk firm

by Kate Smail

DISNEYLAND may claim to be the happiest place on earth, but Border Studio in Selkirk could give them a run for their money this week.

The company, which designs and produces theatre sets, is this week putting the finishing touches to the backdrop that will be used in the Scottish premiere of the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast next month.

Based in Riverside Mill in Selkirk, Border Studios had to compete against other businesses to secure the prestigious contract, which sees the Disney musical version of the classic fairytale released to amateur theatre groups for the first time.

With the show opening at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh on February 1, the huge set is nearly ready to leave Selkirk and move to its new home for the start of dress rehearsals.

Kate Reinsch, sole proprietor of the studio, said: "We are obviously delighted to be creating the set.

"It seems right that a Scottish Company should be supplying the Scottish premiere. We have spent the last eight months devoted to the project, it's taken a lot of hard work but I think the end result is absolutely worth it."

The show is being performed by Edinburgh's oldest amateur dramatic group, the Southern Light Opera, for a one week stint in Edinburgh, before moving to theatres across the country.

The scale of the King's Theatre meant the studio had to produce eight huge new backcloths - measuring 20 foot tall and 40 foot wide - with each one taking chief designer John Reid up to three weeks to paint by hand.

In fact, so ambitious is the production that staff were even forced to consult a member of the mysterious 'Magic Circle' organisation to pull off one of the trickier props.

Iain Fairbairn, the company's joiner, was charged with building a tea-trolley that creates the optical illusion of a floating head. Top magician John Whellans explained how to perform the trick, but Iain has been sworn to secrecy, and if people want to try and fathom how it was achieved then they'll just have to go the show and see it for themselves.

Started by Kate's father Leslie Garner in 1961, with the reigns handed over to her in 1979, Border Studio will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

And there is still very much a family feel to the company - Iain was assisted by his son Kevin with the joinery, and wife Sheila, who has spent the last few weeks adding glitter to the backcloth that will be used in the famous 'be our guest' scene.

The whole staff has been pulling together to get the project finished in time - freelance costume and set designer Chris Vinz was even drafted in from Prague to help.

Kate said: "We have such a great group of people working here, and this has been a real team effort.

"From workshop manager Graeme Coulson keeping everyone on track to Myra Coltman taking care of the bookings and securing us iconic venues such as the Grand Theatre in Blackpool, the whole experience has been fantastic."

To celebrate the end of such a large project, there could only be one way to celebrate - the entire staff will be travelling to Edinburgh to attend the premiere and see all their handywork in action.

"We can't wait to go to the King's and see eight months of hard work paid off," said Kate.

Beauty and the Beast will be playing at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh from February 1-6.

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