The Little Mermaid Jr

Based on the classic tale by Hans Christian Anderson about a mermaid’s dreams to join the human world and trading her voice to find love, this charming show was a good choice for this youth group.  Everyone put on their best efforts and showed how far all their hard work had taken them - assured movement, increasing spacial awareness and no prompts. The opening scenes with the human Prince Eric in search of a bride in the sailing boat and the rebellious mermaid missing the concert, set the tone for the whole show.  Olivia Leishman as Mermaid Ariel both looked and acted the part, delighting us with her fine, pure voice. Later, after she has bargained with the Sea Witch for her love and voiceless as she competes in a contest, she shows her dancing skills as well. Aaron Ross showed Prince Eric first as an aimless seeker of his future then motivated by the entrancing voice of Ariel as a stubborn pursuer of his love. The part of King Triton was given a huffy twist by Ben Martin as he pettishly destroyed his daughter Ariel’s for contacting humans but he redeemed himself by taking her place and losing his power to the Sea Witch. Robyn Gilbertson gave a fine performance of the wicked Sea Witch Ursula, suitably attractive and evil in her trickery of Ariel. She sang ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ strongly and convincingly.  She was aided by the eels Flotsam and Jetsam, Erin Mackintosh and Lily Harvey - both deliciously sinuous and devious. The principals were supported by the more experienced Eilidh Smith as Sebastian the Crab given difficult tasks like chaperoning Ariel, and Rebecca Hardy as Grimsby the long suffering minder of Eric with his attempts to find him a bride.  Jessica Bradley as Flounder,  Becca Tait as Scuttle and Isla O’Rourke as Carlotta all created recognisable characters while the Mersisters/Princesses  and Kharys Findley created atmosphere and humour with their songs ’Daughters of Triton’ and ‘Les Poissons’.  The dressing of the stage was apt and in terms of all the sea items impressive. The costumes complimented the characterisations, especially the black spooky dress of Ursula. Overall all the cast played their parts well and entertained us all.

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