The Little Mermaid

Many thanks for your lovely welcome. It is always a privilege to attend a show performed be a new society to NODA. I 
was interested to see that your show was ‘The Little Mermaid’ but was a pantomime. I wondered how different the 
Hans Christian Andersen original fairy story written on 1836 and subsequent productions were from tonight’s show.
It was great to see your company so well supported  the hall was nearly full waiting with anticipation for the 
performance to come.

The opening curtained stage was set up with posters stage left, a crab pot set on the apron and a gobo with 
underwater events on the curtain. The underwater and palace backdrop and folded flats used with the blacks was well 
painted as added to the atmosphere of the performance. The ship was beautifully presented with great detail and 
authentic props. Other props used such as the prison bars used added to show and all the personal props especially 
the mops and impressive trident were well managed by their owners. I understand from your Producer/Director that 
you had some problems finding a stage crew. As they only began working with you on the Friday before the show 
started. I would like to say well done to them, there were some slight issues with timings etc but  considering the time 
restrains they did a grand job. 

The lighting and sound technicians were set at the back of the hall. There were lights set under the apron, on stage 
and the lighting bars was set at the front of the hall with two sets of three Fresnel’s.  The gobo was projected from the 
back of the audience. All these changing effects relating to those on the stage added to the overall feel of the piece. 
The speakers were placed both stage left and right and sound whether recorded, sound effects or played music was 
set at a level that ensured all those on stage could hear and respond to it.  Just be careful to ensure all radio mics are 
switched off when they leave the stage.

You are extremely lucky to have such a talented Musical Director. He had obviously spent time working with the cast 
on their projection and harmonies. The wide variety of songs chosen certainly added detail to the show.  It was 
fascinating to watch his use of all the technology surrounding him. His quips and ‘ba dum cha’s’ ensured all knew he 
was part of the show and on top of that he played both the organ and guitar with such professionalism.

Your choreographer, who fitted in well to the chorus because of illness, created a variety of routines which were able to 
show the talents of those on the stage. The solo’s Pearl and Prince Finn’s completed showed their skills and the group 
dances were delivered with confidence quite a mean feat for some considering the underwater costumes they were 
wearing. It was wonderful to see your younger members performing with confidence I would like to mention the young 
man with the glasses, what a mover.  The ‘Wellerman’ and ‘In the Navy’ was great to watch as was the  ubiquitous mop 
routine with all its usual instructions.

Your wardrobe department worked wonders and had a clear vision throughout, the costumes were excellent. Time had 
been taken to ensure all the costumes based either underwater or on land had been carefully sourced with material, 
patterns and designs relating to their scenes in the show. I loved the addition of some specific well-known items such 
as Dory and Nemo for the boys and the creatures’ outfits were well managed by those wearing them. The lite squids 
and lanterns were brilliant and added an undulating magical feel. It was excellent to see that well groomed wigs were 
worn, footwear had been taken into account and the carefully applied make-up added another level of detail. 
Congratulations.

Your storytellers Mother of Pearl and Pearl who were magical spirits of the ocean, arrived on the stage beautifully 
attired in white with intricate headdresses. They narrated the story clearly in rhyme making sure all the audience knew 
what was happening. Pearl danced with feeling and had a cheeky manner which her mother attempted to control; she 
was a little quiet when she sang ‘The Climb’ but her confidence grew when Mother’s confident voice joined in.

The newly crowned Queen of Atlantis Queen Neptuna arrived on stage in her beautiful green dress and crown proudly 
holding her powerful trident only to have it taken from her by her evil sister Octavia. Octavia was the main antagonist 
in the show with her black sequin, colourful hair and purple tentacles.   Both actors played their respective parts with 
flourish from the regal Queen to the divisive Octavia. The fight at the end worked well and it was great to see them 
reunited at the end. 

The actor depicting Ariel looked just the part in her mermaid shaped gold dress, long hair and blue make up. She 
created a believable character she knew what she wanted and trusted her aunt when she said she could help her. Just 
a little point maybe open your mouth a little more when Octavia was taking your voice. She made the part her own, 
interacted well with the Prince, spoke clearly, moved well and had a lovely singing voice.

What a wonderful characterisation Persil created. She moved with confidence in her array of great outfits, had brilliant 
comedy timing and her interaction with the audience and other members of the cast was second to none. Her singing, 
dancing and interaction with the Admiral added to the fun. 

Thermidor the Lobster bounded onto the stage in her fabulous outfit and didn’t stop for the whole performance. She 
was full of energy and instantly gelled with the audience who shouted with glee for all of her entrances. Her high 
energy persona, well timed jokes, especially with the trolley and spirited antics brought the character to life. 
Octavia’s slimy eel sidekicks Davy and Jones slithered around and carried out her wishes. Using ‘shell’ suits under 
their eel like hood and body was inspired. Their spoke clearl y and carried out Octavia’s evil wishes willingly.

Ariel’s love interest and the reason she is desperate for legs was Prince Finn. His costumes showed his status and 
‘he’ was depicted as a charismatic man with power.  ‘He’ clearly demonstrated his dancing  ability, sang tunefully and 
the partnership between him and Ariel was great. 

Your player taking on the role of the Admiral produced a great performance considering he only took on the role a few 
days before. It was evident as expected that he would need to use a script for some speeches but I was impressed by 
the way he delivered his lines. The chemistry between him and Persil was great.

No show would be complete without the ensemble and yours was exceptional. The younger members appeared often 
down the aisle and sang and danced with gusto. The more mature members took on numerous roles as sea creatures, 
naval ratings and members of the royal palace. Well done to all.

Your director/producer obviously had a clear vision of what she wanted to show the audience and although beset with 
some problems she was able to use Alex Jackson’s pacy script to create an entertaining evening’s performance full of 
audience participation. I would also like to pass on my congratulations to all the members of your group  both in front 
and behind the scenes without which a pantomime would not be possible. 

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The 
reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be 
affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the 
performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques 
used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and 
are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to 
greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving 
future productions.

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