The Little Mermaid

A packed stage of around 50 or more young people performing this show to a very enthusiastic audience,the cast ranged in ages from 4-17 year olds and did a great job with a really colourful bright show.

Singing  to backing tracks quite confidently, and looking happy and enjoying it all came over to the audience.

It would be impossible to comment on each and every principal in this busy show, but there were some excellent “stars in the making” in Francesca Larkin,Maddie Collett,Daisy Rusdale,Lolly Cooke and William Smith in the main characters.

Francesca singing the lead role of Ariel has a stunning singing voicewith natural ease on stage and was perfect in her role.Maddie as a very energetic crab was excellent in a very athletic style, dashing about the stage, has a good sense of comedy, and always bang on cue with her dialogue.A terrific costume as well.

Daisy as Scuttle a fiery swan was great fun,and Lolly was very imposing in her super character as “the baddie” Ursula.Again, as with all the cast her costume was so good and all these ladies I feel will go from strength to strength in whatever character they play.

I must also mention William Smith playing Prince Eric,well played and has more to give I feel as his singing develops with more confidence.

The chorus really gave their all in the musical numbers.I liked especially”Under the Sea” “Poor Unfortunate Souls”Part of your World” and the clever “Les Poissons” with Bridget Clegg and company.

In the opening scene “Fathoms Below” and here and there through the show the backing track was very loud and which made it difficult to hear the dialogue.This can always be a problem with young voices and needs to be watched to get the sound balance right.

 Not all the cast had head mikes which would have helped for more volume especially with children who had quieter voices.

At times some of the cast spoke their lines very quickly, it will slow with experience and confidence but it is very important for the audience to be able to hear all that is being said.

A great deal of work had obviously gone into this production, and I thought the company had made great strides in the overall standard. Abigail and her assistants are to be congratulated for their terrific work on the show.

Well done to everyone, whether on stage or off ,and a special “well done” to the costumes,props, hair and make up all which was very good.

Also well done to the chaperones who are essential with a large company of children to get them dressed and on stage at the correct time, and did a super job in the performance with all the children.

A colourful programme also to read about the show and the cast.

I look forward to” 9 to 5” which seems to be a very popular show going the rounds at the moment.

Well done to you all.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.