When it comes to bringing the whimsical world of The Little Mermaid to life on stage, the stakes are high. This cherished Disney classic has held a special place in the hearts of audiences for generations, so any theater company taking on the challenge faces a significant endeavor. However, the CentreStage production rises to the occasion, achieving an impressive feat with its abundant skating, top-notch costumes, and ample sass – all while remaining faithful to the beloved story. If you’re a fan of The Little Mermaid, you’ll definitely want to get your tickets soon. The show is selling out quickly, and the run is almost finished, so don’t miss your chance to experience this enchanting theatrical adaptation.
Crafting an Immersive Ocean Setting
The Little Mermaid is a show that can be easily (way too easily) done using an overwhelming amount of video projections. After all, how else are you going to show the underwater world? I was relieved to see that the CentreStage team has painstakingly crafted an immersive ocean setting using clever costumes, moving set pieces, and even actors suspended in the air to simulate swimming towards the surface.
Video projections were used cleverly, to set the mood at the beginning (this graceful whale! No wonder this creature received its applause during the appearance) and during some surprise moments, like the appearance of Scuttle, who flies through the screen, just to get “materialised” on the balcony of the theatre. The pure magic of theatre, right there! Some of the cast wore skates and Heelyz, which gives their movements a graceful, fluid quality – it’s like watching the characters glide through the sea. I found out that part of the cast took a skating course on top of their standard rehearsals too – and it shows, as their movements were steady and confident, making me even more impressed with the show with every minute.
Captivating Puppetry and Vocal Performances
The puppetry in this show is also a real highlight. We’re talking “Lion King”-level artistry, with huge jellyfish, turtles, and even a show-stopping Ursula with eight puppeteers controlling her tentacles. Talk about effort!
The flamingos, pelican, and choir of singing frogs were all delightful touches that brought the marine world to life. I have to say, I was lucky to watch the regional tour of “Life of Pi” this month, but CentreStage’s passion project like this could easily compete with this big professional production in terms of the magic created on stage while displaying the world of animals.
King Triton’s ( Chris Waiting) voice sent shivers down my spine, especially during his duet with Sebastian in “If Only (Triton’s Lament)”.
Ariel’s role was such a challenge – it demanded fulfilling the audience’s attachment to the animated film heroine while coming up with own take on the character. Bex Evans combined the best of both, and created a rebellious, brave character, with awkward hobbies and strong personality (even in the challenging, mute scenes in the second act). Evans was so adorable with her believable crush on the Prince and delivered the comedy scenes spot-on (the famous scene with the fork? Nailed it!).
Nick Dore as Prince Eric did very well in his dance scenes (even though he didn’t get to wear skates in this show). But my only slight issue was that I didn’t feel much tension between him and Ariel.
Stephen Mitchell, whose standout performance in The Hunchback of Notre Dame earned him well-deserved critical acclaim, returns here with a short yet utterly memorable number “Les Poissons” as the Chef. His comedy-filled solo number was an absolute showstopper, stealing the spotlight in the second act of the production.
Seamless Backstage Execution
The 40+ strong backstage team of The Little Mermaid deserves a standing ovation for their seamless execution, managing the intricate costumes, props, and quick changes with remarkable precision.
With dozens of costumes, props, wonky headpieces and quick on-stage costume changes, this show had the potential to fail in many tricky moments. And yet, my curious eye spotted none of these – the costumes stayed put together even in the most energetic scenes, like tap dancing or skating, and stage set pieces placed perfectly on time.
The live band, though not entirely visible, provides a lively and immersive musical accompaniment that truly brings the underwater world to life.
CentreStage team has truly outdone themselves, creating an immersive underwater world that will leave you spellbound. Whether you’re a longtime fan or simply looking for a captivating theatrical experience, this show is sure to leave you enchanted and eager to dive back in.
The Little Mermaid
by CentreStage London
9-13 April 2024, The London Oratory School Theatre (click here for tickets)
Director: James-Lee Campbell
Musical Director: Mark Smith
Choreographer: Paul Brookland Williams
Producer: Giles Burden
Assistant Director: Alexis Rose
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