Finding Nemo JR

Finding Nemo JR is the classic Disney film that has been made into an accessible musical for a Youth society.

Alison Hudson did a lovely job as director in making sure that the all the young performers had their moment on stage, and this is not only difficult but important. Claire Bailes as musical director, made sure all voices were clear and diction was good, well done.

Cally Fletcher played the role of dad Marlin well. At times I could feel her nerves, but that is to be expected, she had a lovely voice, and she played the role well. Lyra Brett had the youthful enthusiasm needed for thecurious Nemo, she had a sweet voice and was a good contrast to Cally.

Rosie Freeston played the forgetful Dory. Her energy was wonderful, and her comic timing was very good. Alisa Kucukkinaci, Aurelia Jenkins, Alifie Steptoe, Chloe Strong and Edward McLauchlan played Gill, Peach, Gurgle, Bloat, and Bubbles who are the five fish that help Nemo escape. They worked well as a team and all had great voices but especially Alisa, super voice! The one thing I really liked was that as a group their diction was great, I heard every word and it was obvious they worked on this.

Crush (Helena Wilson), Squirt (Lily Plowman-Cobb), Breeze (Thea Donkin) and Kai (Pippa Coulthard) were the turtles that helped Marlin and Dory through the sea. Good characterisations, and I especially liked their costumes, the shells on their backs were distinctive.
I enjoyed the seagull sections as they were funny, but I could not help but think more could have been done, potentially the seagulls coming through the audience, I think this may have been a missed opportunity for the cast to show off their comic timing more.

The rest of the cast performed as various underwater characters; the choreography was good, Charlotte and Francesca Platten did a good job in showcasing the children. The idea of having the cast being at the side of the stage when not on, was a lovely idea and meant everyone could help with the singing, also really helped with the show, which impressively came in under the hour.

The set was lovely the flats were beautifully painted to create an underwater scene, and the projections gave the underwater scenes, meaning the cast had more room to dance and perform.

I came with my eldest daughter, who openly said she really enjoyed it, and it was very well done and she is the target audience of this show, but I concur with her I walked in with a smile and walked out with a bigger smile, there are many talented young performers at Young Thespians that will hopefully one day move into the adult society.

Scott Welch
Reps district 9
NODA East

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