The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid 

Performed by Portishead Young Players 

Directors: Caroline Edwards/ Ben Salter 

I was so delighted to be invited back to Somerset Halls for another Portishead Players  performance although this time to see The Junior Section. Could they meet the  expectations of the very high standard set by the adults club? Well it certainly wasn’t long  into the performance when I got my answer, a resounding Yes! 

Thank you for the very warm welcome again by Lynda and all the front of house team. I  appreciated meeting Paul Hannawi your chairman and certainly enjoyed the chat with  Caroline and Ben and finding out about all the mechanics going on behind the scenes and  how you’ve got to this performance tonight and indeed your tenth anniversary of PYP.  Congratulations. 

Sadly not a full house but a very good and appreciative one, I could certainly pick up on  the excitement especially of all the little ones in to support the cast and seeing some  expressions on their faces, they could have been sat at the Bristol Hippodrome or even  Drury Lane. They were there to enjoy themselves and all the way through you could hear a  pin drop. Congratulations for capturing this young audience, they were certainly under your  spell. Testament to a very entertaining show. 

I enjoyed taking in the ideas you had for bringing the set out into the hall beyond the stage  it certainly gave the audience a feel for the atmosphere that was to be created beyond. It was nice to see the two acting areas created either side of the front of stage, it made me  aware that the whole width of the stage would be put to good use and also creates  interesting acting spaces enhanced by creative lighting. I felt to finalise the vibe you were  trying to portray would have been polished off perfectly with the sound of waves lapping up  onto the shore, but I dare say I for one would have been rushing to the loo!! But just a  thought. 

A simple overture was played to give us a teaser of what was to come, this I felt could  have been slightly louder but that’s just my taste. I liked to be immersed into the sound.  But straight away we were hit with the enemy Octavia and her Kelps. Octavia certainly  knew how to hit an audience between the eyes. Great presence and knock out voice and  ably backed by her dazzling looking Kelps. I loved the movement created by them and  actually felt I was under sea. Very clever. The scene was certainly set. I loved the back  cloth. Very apt, vibrant and cleverly lit. I felt it a shame we had the black legs either side  but at the same time I do understand about budgets etc but they do stand out very stark  and sadly doesn’t edge the overall picture that you were trying to create. Maybe something  to think about for the future. Luckily we had such strong performances little notice I’m sure  was taken of this.

Scooter and Finn introduced us to the Reef what a joy they were, and scooter ably coped  with the very wordy “Royal Announcement” these were two very confident performers. As  was Angelica taking us to her secret cave. I sensed slight nerves as you went into the  song “The World Above” but honestly you had no need to be nervous. It was beautiful and  I particularly liked your top range and felt you grew more confident as the song  progressed. 

I was very impressed with the look of the Sea King. Another great costume and worn to  perfection very upright and character kept throughout. Grandmer I felt could have been  made to look just a little older. Maybe hair worn up with slight greying just to enhance your  maturity, with maybe a tiara just to top off the look. But a very fine actress and great  expressions throughout. 

I loved how Prince Julian’s ship was created and commend the directors on using cast to  bring this on. It looked very impressive as was the choreography in this scene. I do like  spending a few seconds just looking at everyone’s faces when we have group numbers  and full marks to everyone, you were all completely involved in the scene. Drilled to  perfection. Even I felt a little queasy as the ship crashed. Really well done. I must  commend Prince Julian on the vocal’s for song of the sailors simply because this was in a  man’s key also the soliloquy with Angelica. I thought you coped admirably with these. The  range for a girl is huge and it sounded strong and confident especially your upper range.  Keep working on that voice it will mature nicely. 

I felt when we arrived on land maybe the lighting could have dimmed on the backdrop and  been played slightly more forward and brighter lighting at the front of stage. I really enjoyed “A Great Big Beautiful World” again nice choreography and great work  done not only by the principals but the ensemble too. Everyone was so focused. Good job. And talk about save the best till last. I’m so pleased we finally met Grandfather. Such a  beautiful voice. The tragic Tale was certainly not tragic and without doubt one of the many  highlights of this show. Congratulations. 

The lighting in the next scene with Octavia and the King was super. And again well acted  by both. Maybe Octavia’s mic could have been louder with an added effect to make her  even more evil plus I’d have liked some sound effects when the spells were being created,  whereas lighting went to town I thought sound could have also. 

A Super end to act 1. 

I didn’t make a lot of notes in act 2 as I wanted to sit and enjoy the scenes. What I did  notice was how all the characters grew in confidence. You could say you found your legs!! The vocals were slightly stronger and the comedy certainly shone through. Finns timing is  just excellent and Angelica becoming mute and miming was brilliantly portrayed. The  house keeper certainly made her mark too. A nice cameo role that you really made your  own, again great comic timing. Octavia certainly got her comeuppance and we just knew a  Royal Wedding was in the offing. I think that was the only time I noticed stage crew. So alls  well that ends well.

COSTUMES/MAKE UP 

What a great array of colour, just what was needed for this type of production. I noticed  some were maybe hired but I’m sure blood sweat and tears probably went into the final  look. Some quick changes too which were done to perfection. Congratulations costume  team. Great job done also by Karen and Team on the makeup. Again just right without  going over the top. From the garish look of Octavia to the more natural look of the  ensemble. Just a slight tweak on Grandmer to age her just a little would have been a good  touch but otherwise Just right in my opinion. 

Lighting/Sound 

As I already stated, I loved the lighting effect on Octavia and the King in their scene. I’d  have maybe liked a bit more of this in places, especially when Octavia became dramatic in  her scenes. I also think this production would have maybe benefitted from some moveable  lights. Now, I know how expensive these can be, so it’s not a criticism but there are plenty  of benefits from having this and creates a lot more interesting effects, again something to  ponder when you are maybe considering fund raising. 

These days Black outs are considered a bit old fashioned and I had quite a learning curve  whilst trying to set a lighting plot for Kinky Boots recently at the playhouse. The engineers  who were setting were pushing to have transition lighting effects going from one scene to  the other rather than a full black out. I did notice one scene at least you did this and it’s  amazing how the pace keeps up rather than slows down. 

The areas either side of the stage were always adequately lit and suitably dimmed for the  Kelps. The Beach and on shore areas were beautifully lit. Felt like real sunshine.  Gorgeous. 

Sound was mostly good although for me a little quiet. (As I stated that’s just my  preference) I just felt a little detached from the music. The cues from the performers were  picked up perfectly so I gather they had their own fold back on stage. I definitely thought  Octavia would have benefitted from more volume in her scenes. Although she has great  projection her voice must have been very tired by the end of the week and more volume  from the mic would help. I’ve already mentioned sound effects would have added to the  dramatics of the spell making. I did have a little chat with Paul at the beginning of the night  and thankyou for adding that central mic above. I’m not sure if you told me this was your  first time with radio mics but if it was it was a good effort and always a learning curve. Your  definitely on the right road and the clarity was good. 

CHOREOGRAPHY 

This was greatly enjoyed not only by the audiences but I could see particularly in the ship  scene how much the cast were enjoying the routines. I liked how you kept it rather simple  so everybody was capable and achieved a very high standard. Dare I say next time I feel  the cast could be pushed just a little bit further. I did think they had a little bit more to give.  

My only bug bear were the un choreographed bits where the cast were maybe counting  beats until the next move. Everything stopped just for those seconds and characterisations  just disappear. I would suggest keeping the movement fluid throughout even if it’s a step  that’s very simple. But I will say you made some great shaping and good pictures.

DIRECTION 

I admire anyone who takes on this role no matter how big or small the production. You  obviously both had a good clear vision of what you wanted to achieve and I think you  mostly did. You cast it very well, and the scenes had a good flow and pace was maintained  throughout. Nit picky bits… a couple of the scenes were a bit static, I’m not one for saying  move just for the sake of moving but I did feel there could have just been a little bit more  natural moves in the longer scenes just to make it a little bit more interesting. I also  thought I’d have liked a little bit more movement between Octavia and her Kelps. She  always made the same entrance and just stood centre of them where as I think she could  have been a bit more menacing walking around and amongst them. And just changed the  overall pictures up a bit. As I said nit picky but overall an excellent evenings entertainment.  Well done on your tenth anniversary. Definitely an enjoyable success. 

Just a little nod to the super pictures front of house and another good program especially  the quiz. I played Hans Anderson at the Bristol Hippodrome about 100 years ago but only  got half the questions right!! 

Thanks once again for another great evening, you have a great season coming up and I  certainly look forward to it. 

Best wishes 

Mike Purnell.

 

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