The Little Mermaid

 

I was warmly welcomed on arrival by Director, Adam Woodhouse, Musical Director Neil Somerville and Assistant Director Laura Hicks and had a further talk after the performance with them and Chair Katie Cutmore. I had realised that this production was technically very challenging but nothing prepared me for the sheer scale of the interactive backdrops on a video wall and the custom built sets and portals and much more. Congratulations to the set design and construction team and to the LX team, lighting and sound design teams for their ingenuity and creative designs all of which enhanced this impressive production. The underwater kingdom was particularly striking. Sound and lighting effects also added to the overall impressions. The stage managers and stage team achieved fluent  scene and props changes throughout. Costumes were mostly sourced in house and were very character relevant enabling all the cast to really look the part and there were some incredibly quick costume changes ! The mermaids dresses, with moving tails were quite stunning!

All the actors, without exception, performed to a very high standard and were obviously playing to their individual strengths.  Act One opened with Amrit Sihra as Ariel, The Little Mermaid surfacing from the underwater kingdom to look at the human life above the sea. This appeared to be via a hidden trapdoor in the front of the stage and was regularly used by Ariel and others throughout.  Amrit was well cast and played and sang this leading role very well indeed. The six mersisters had pivotal roles and graced the stage with their singing and movements.

I loved the role of Ariel’s young friend, Flounder, played in this performance by Olivia Baker who had some lovely expressions and agile movements. Tom Pleasant, as the young and reluctant human Prince Eric took this challenging role with great enthusiasm and had good vocal talent. His valet/guardian Grimsby, played by Andrew Hodgson was an interesting character rather formal and correct and Andrew carried this well.

Becki Lee, as the sea witch Ursula played a great role as she sought to destroy Ariel. Loud and strident her character interpretation was excellent and she showed a real evil tendency. Her ‘tentacles ’were wonderfully enacted and appeared very real ! Holly Pleasance was a perfect seagull, Scuttle, leading a group of seagulls. Her preening, squawking and actions were very realistic.

I enjoyed the role of the crab, Sebastian, admirably delivered by Leanne Barber. A very active and energetic role for Leanne who mastered the art of walking sideways throughout very well indeed.

Wayne Setford, as King Triton was suitably masterful and stern when dealing with his sister Ursula but displayed a warm and caring manner with his youngest daughter Ariel. Keith Hammond, as Jetsam and Sarah White as Flotsam were ideally paired as Ursula’s minions, two slippery eels slinking around the stage in a highly menacing way. Emma Theedom, as French Chef Louis was hilarious as she chased Sebastion around the stage intent on chopping him up as seafood!

There was plenty of activity for the large ensemble in both chorus and small speaking parts and general movement and dance was well choreographed by the Director and Assistant Director and delivered by the Dance Captain Zoe Farrelly.

Throughout, the vocals to backing tracks were strong and appealing with duets by Prince Eric and Ariel and solos by Ursula and Sebastian amongst my personal favourites but under the expert direction of Neil Somerville, Musical Director all the singing was near perfect.

Adam Woodhouse, as Director and Laura Hicks as Assistant Director displayed so much creativity and ingenuity in this production. Many congratulations for your proven ability to bring such a scintillating production to stage and congratulations to everyone involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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