Disney's The Little Mermaid

Once again, I was delighted to receive a warm welcome from Sue, Graham, and the rest of the front of house team. It is always a pleasure to visit this wonderful venue, and the hospitality extended by everyone involved is greatly appreciated.

I was immediately struck by the new media wall that has recently been installed. This appears to be a fantastic investment and one that I am sure will continue to enhance productions for many years to come, providing exciting opportunities for both audiences and production teams alike.

As I often am when attending productions by BYG, I found myself thoroughly entertained by the pre-show announcement. This is something you have truly mastered as a company, consistently setting the tone for the evening while engaging the audience in a way that feels natural, welcoming, and uniquely yours.

As the show opened, I felt the introductory sequence perhaps ran a little longer than necessary, particularly without a visual element to help build atmosphere or momentum. I found myself wondering whether the new media screen might have come into its own during this opening section, or perhaps some subtle ensemble movement across the stage could have helped maintain audience engagement. That said, once the action began, the production truly took off, and the opening number was simply fantastic.

Scene after scene I found myself impressed by a recurring theme throughout the production. The set was exceptional and worked seamlessly to support the story being told. The costumes and make-up were equally impressive, with a remarkable level of care and attention to detail evident throughout. I particularly enjoyed the creative use of Heelys to help create the illusion of movement beneath the sea, which was both effective and imaginative. The quality and variety of props used throughout the show were equally noteworthy, with each carefully selected to enhance both the mood and visual storytelling.

Another aspect that stood out was the cast’s unwavering commitment, not only to their individual characters but also to their physicality and stage presence. The way performers consistently maintained character through posture, movement, and positioning was incredible. Not once did I notice anyone breaking this commitment, which is a real testament to the work that had clearly gone into developing these performances. For me, the standout moment of the entire production was” Under the Sea.” This number was a true visual spectacle and a genuine crowd-pleaser, packed with energy, colour, and enthusiasm. It was executed superbly by everyone involved and demonstrated the production at its very best.

As Act One drew to a close, I must admit that the reveal of Ariel in her human form became a little lost for me and, from what I observed, for several audience members around me as well. Given the importance of this pivotal moment within the story, I would have loved to have seen the reveal take place on the rostrum, allowing everyone a clearer view and ensuring the impact of the transformation was fully realised.

I also noted one scene transition that took place without accompanying music. As this was the only instance throughout the production where this occurred, I was unsure whether a cue may have been missed. Regardless, it felt slightly out of keeping with the otherwise polished flow of the show.

Despite the couple of observations mentioned above, these are very much minor refinements within what was otherwise a superbly enjoyable production. The show was packed with energy, humour, creativity, and commitment throughout, and it was clear from the audience’s reaction that they were thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.

Technical effects

This production was unfortunately affected by a handful of technical issues, which I must say is unusual for this group given the consistently high standards I have come to expect. I noted several microphone pops throughout the performance, and the issue with Scuttle’s microphone at the start of Act Two did impact some of the opening scenes of the second half, which was a shame given the momentum the production had built during Act One.

That said, the lighting design was among the strongest I have seen. The effects used throughout were highly effective in creating atmosphere and supporting the story telling, with the laser lightening effect proving particularly impressive. General lighting balances and stage coverage were excellent throughout, helping to frame the action beautifully and ensuring the audience’s focus was directed exactly where it needed to be.

Whilst the microphone issues were noticeable, they felt more frustrating than problematic because the overall quality of the production was otherwise so high. I very much hope these prove to be straightforward fixes, as the remainder of the technical presentation was of an excellent standard.

Musical Director

Every musical number landed extremely well throughout the production, and it was clear that you had worked hard to bring out the strengths of your performers vocally. The score was delivered with confidence and enjoyment, and you consistently played to the strengths of the company, allowing individual performers and ensemble pieces alike to shine.

My only observation would be around the ensemble vocals during the dinner scene. At times, when the musical focus shifted more heavily towards the ensemble, some of the volume and clarity was lost slightly. I found myself wondering whether additional microphones for more of the ensemble may have helped elevate these moments and allow the audience to fully appreciate the quality of the vocals being delivered.

That aside, this was a strong piece of musical direction and a thoroughly enjoyable score to listen to throughout the evening.

Choreographer

Wow, what a job you had, and you absolutely smashed it!

The movement throughout the production was a remarkable achievement. Whilst much of it was based around character movement and visual storytelling rather than traditional dance routines, it was clear that an enormous amount of thought and effort had gone into ensuring everything was both visually spectacular and coherent to the story being told.

What impressed me most was the consistency throughout. Nothing felt out of place, awkward, or under-rehearsed. Every movement appeared purposeful and contributed to the world you were creating on stage, helping to bring the underwater setting to life in a believable and engaging way. This was a cracking piece of choreography and movement direction – Very well done.

Ariel

Having seen you perform in a couple of previous productions, I had a feeling you would excel in this role, and I was not disappointed. You captured the essence of Ariel beautifully, bringing warmth, determination, and charm to the character throughout the performance. Vocally, you were superb from start to finish, delivering the songs with confidence and control while fully embracing the emotional journey of the role. Bravo on taking on such an iconic character and delivering such a strong performance.

Prince Eric

It was really wonderful to see you take on a leading role, and you were excellent throughout. Your portrayal of Prince Eric was warm, confident, and completely believable, allowing the audience to invest fully in the story. Vocally, you were a real revelation – where did that voice come from?! Your solo performance was simply incredible and showcased both power and control, creating one of the standout musical moments of the evening. This was a superb performance in a significant role.

Sebastian

Firstly – wow! That costume was absolutely flawless and immediately brought the character to life. I was genuinely shocked to learn that you had never seen the film, because you could certainly have fooled me. You completely understood the role and delivered a performance full of energy, confidence, and personality. You were the definition of charisma throughout, and whenever you stepped onto the stage you had the audience eating out the palm of your hand. This was a phenomenal performance and one that will live long in the memory.

Flounder

Once again, this was another superb costume that immediately helped establish the character. More importantly, you embodied the role of Flounder exceptionally well throughout the performance. You never broke character, remaining fully committed from start to finish, and your portrayal was full of charm, humour, and energy. You were a delight to watch and brought a wonderful warmth to the role that was clearly enjoyed by the audience. Well done.

Ursula

You enjoyed this role, didn’t you! What a fantastic portrayal of this iconic villain. You struck the balance beautifully, never overplaying your hand while still fully embracing Ursula’s commanding presence and wicked charm. Your vocals were strong throughout and helped create a character that brought real balance and tension to the story. One aspect of your performance that particularly stood out was your diction, which was crystal clear. This is a genuine strength and one that will serve you very well in every role you undertake. Well done.

Flotsam & Jetsam

Together, you provided excellent support to Ursula and helped create a wonderfully sinister presence whenever you appeared on stage. What impressed me most was your complete commitment to the roles, not just through your dialogue but through your movement, physicality, and characterisation throughout the performance. You worked extremely well as a pair, maintaining consistency and helping to bring Ursula’s world to life.

Scuttle

You were a real delight to watch throughout, bringing fantastic energy and character to every scene you appeared in. Your visual comedy was spot on, with reactions, movement, and timing that consistently entertained the audience. I must also congratulate you on your professionalism early in Act Two. Recognising the microphone issue and instinctively adjusting your performance to compensate demonstrated great awareness and commitment to the show. That was a real credit to you and helped ensure the scene continued successfully despite the challenge. Well done.

Grimsby

You brought a wonderfully dry humour to the role of Grimsby, and that is a skill in itself. Your portrayal was perfectly judged, capturing the character’s pompous formality and sense of duty without ever losing the warmth and charm that makes him such an important part of the story. In a show filled with larger-than-life characters, you provided a welcome balance and grounding presence, helping many of the comic moments land even more effectively.

King Triton

You brought a calm authority to the role throughout the production. Your interactions with Ariel helped establish the central family dynamic that drives much of the narrative, and you handled these moments with sincerity and warmth. The role requires a different style of performance to many of the more comedic characters around you, and you provided an important sense of balance and stability within the underwater world. Well done.

Chef Louis

I thoroughly enjoyed this performance, and you were responsible for delivering one of the highlights of the entire evening. The scene in the chef’s kitchen was an absolute joy to watch, and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions thanks to your energy, and comic timing. You fully embraced every moment of the character and clearly relished the opportunity to entertain the audience, which made the scene all the more enjoyable. Great performance.

Ensemble

As anyone who has read my reviews before will know, I firmly believe that the ensemble is the backbone of any production, and that was certainly the case here. You brought an incredible amount of energy, and character to every scene you appeared in, helping to create a rich and believable world both above and below the sea. What impressed me most was the consistency of your character work and physicality throughout the show, which never wavered for a moment. You provided a fantastic backdrop to the story being told and should all be immensely proud of the contribution you made to this production.

Director

Bringing Disney’s, The Little Mermaid to the stage presents a unique challenge. Not only must you recreate a beloved story that audiences know and cherish, but you must also convince them that an underwater world exists before their very eyes. I am delighted to say that you achieved this with great success.

What stood out most to me was the consistency of the vision throughout the production. From the exceptional set, costumes, make-up, props, and staging choices through to the unwavering commitment of the cast to their characters and physicality, it was clear that everyone involved understood the world you were trying to create. The attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the performance, and the result was a production that felt colourful, vibrant, and full of life.

The choreography and movement work played a huge part in bringing this world to life, while the musical direction ensured the score was delivered with confidence and enjoyment throughout. Perhaps most impressively, the cast never wavered to the style and atmosphere of the show. Whether portraying sea creatures, royalty, sailors, or chefs, every performer contributed to creating a believable and engaging environment for the audience.

The few observations I have made regarding the opening sequence, Ariel’s transformation reveal, and some technical challenges are all relatively minor refinements within the context of what was otherwise a highly accomplished production. In many ways, the fact that these moments stood out is a testament to the exceptionally high standard achieved elsewhere throughout the evening.

Ultimately, this was a production filled with energy, humour, creativity, and heart. The audience reaction throughout spoke volumes, and it was clear that everyone in attendance was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. You successfully captured the magic and charm of The Little Mermaid, creating an engaging and memorable evening of theatre.

My thanks once again to everyone at BYG for their warm hospitality, and I look forward to seeing you all again very soon.

Much love.

Stephen Fudge

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