The Little Mermaid

Phoenix Productions presented their rendition of “The Little Mermaid” at their local venue, Seaham Town Hall. It was a bright evening with a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation in the air.  I was thrilled to see again that Phoenix had Jackson making theatre more accessible with a BSL interpretation of the performance.

The cast, comprised largely of young and enthusiastic performers, brought real energy to the stage. While some elements of the performance and choreography did appear to be a little under rehearsed and unpolished, their commitment and enjoyment were evident throughout. The ensemble worked hard to create a sense of fun and engagement, with some standout moments of characterisation and group work. It was clear that the cast were enjoying themselves, and their passion was infectious. The principal roles were tackled with gusto, and the cast supported each other admirably. This bodes well for the future, as experience and confidence are sure to grow with further productions.

The set design for this production was a real highlight. Despite the limitations of the venue, the creative team succeeded in transforming the space into an enchanting undersea world with an inventive bright set up. Clever use of lighting, decoration and vibrant colours helped immerse the audience in Ariel’s story with audiences being sat under the sea and in the lagoon, and the transitions between scenes were smooth and well-considered with the use of mobile scenery.  It’s difficult when performing in the traverse to ensure the entire audience gains the benefit of the visual performances and I’d probably encourage a little more work on sight lines to maximise the audience experience.

Particular praise is due for the inventive use of props and staging to maximise the available area. The movement of the cast around the stage felt natural, ensuring that the performance never felt cramped or static. The creative solutions employed here are a credit to the production team.  The costuming was very strong and well delivered.

It it was clear that the cast were enjoying themselves, and this enthusiasm was shared by the audience. There was a strong sense of community spirit, with friends and family showing their support. The production succeeded in creating an enjoyable experience for all in attendance. Unfortunately there was cast illness meaning the role of Sebastian played by director Richenda A. Blakelock was unable to perform the musical numbers due to a chest infection and Triton was a recorded voice over which was a shame.  The role of Ariel was played by Fraya Rutter very well with the recognisable renditions of “Part of Your world” being well presented and she looked absolutely beautiful especially in the wedding dress at conclusion.  Prince Eric was played by Pablo Cervantes with regal poise and Flounder by Ruby Hawkins with childlike innocence.  Ursula was played by Victoria Nolan confidently and precisely, giving us a believable villain of the piece and her songs were executed and performed very well with a lovely strong voice.  Scuttle was played by Georgina  Bailey and Grimsby was confidently performed by Ella West.  Flotsam/Andrina was Angel Wilkinson coupled as a duo with Layla Naugher playing jetsam/Allana did very well together as the duo accompanying Ursula in her wicked endeavours and Triton was voiced by Gavin Hobbs.

Stanislavski once quoted “there are no small parts only small actors” and this most certainly applies to Rosalind Hill with her portrayal of Chef Louis as she absolutely dominated the stage and had the audience of fits of laughter with lettuce flying everywhere, though I was a little concerned someone would slip on the flying salad dressing!  Brilliant performance form Rosalind, really well done.

The mer-sisters were played by Jennifer Hargrave, Jess Wood, Becky Gill-Baisotti and Kate Hill very well, with Hayley O’Connor featuring as the Pilot, Martha Cox as Windward and a large ensemble of enthusiastic youngsters.

Phoenix Productions’ “The Little Mermaid” was an admirable effort from the company. While the performance had its challenges, the inventive set, creative use of space, and the genuine enthusiasm of the cast ensured a positive and uplifting evening. With time, experience, and continued dedication, Phoenix Productions will undoubtedly build on these foundations and deliver even more polished productions in the future.

Congratulations to all involved for their hard work and commitment. I look forward to seeing your next show!

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