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| Emily Pogson as Ariel, the little mermaid. |
Directed by Jordan Best - Musical Direction by Adam Blum
Choreographed by Jodi Hammond - Set designed by Ian Croker
Costumes designed by Fiona Leach - Lighting by Sidestage Productions
Presented by Ickle Pickle Productions,
Belconnen
Community Theatre 10th to 25th January.
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
“The Little
Mermaid” may not be the best of the Disney musicals, but in the
experienced hands of director, Jordan
Best, who seems to have been waiting for this opportunity to let loose her
inner child, this production is jam
packed with exuberant performances, colourful costumes, spectacular dance
routines, and clever staging ideas.
Although the
minimalist staging facilities at the Belconnen Theatre provide a challenge
for any designer hoping to create a
creditable undersea environment for the first part of the show, Ian Croker has
triumphed with a colourful, uncluttered setting that provides plenty of room for
the large cast to execute Jodi Hammond’s
spectacular dance routines and perform
imaginative transformation scenes, and yet, by employing pretty lighting
effects, still intimate enough for the all-important, romantic “Kiss The Girl” sequence.
The musical
tells the familiar Hans Christian Anderson story of a mermaid who trades her
voice for a pair of legs. But this is the Disney version, so not nearly as dark
as the original, and crammed full of cute fishy side-characters to provide
golden opportunities for inventive actors.
Throwing in
just about every trick in the trade, Jordan Best keeps the storyline clearly in
focus, while encouraging her actors to move beyond their comfort zone to create
interesting characters, resulting in some very fine performances indeed.
Emily Pogson
is appealing as Ariel the mermaid. She looks the part, sings prettily and
receives strong support from Ben Brown as Prince Eric. Brown struggles a bit
with the songs, but what he lacks in vocal prowess is more than made up by his
good looks and Disney prince charm.
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| Jade Breen (Flounder) and the Mersisters |
Jade Breen
(Flounder), Michael Jordan (King Triton) Jackie McIntyre and Elliott Cleaves (Flotsam
and Jetsam) all offer strong characterisations, while Cassie Ramsay, Emily
Mullamphy, Kellee-Rose Hand, Emily O’Brien , April Hand and Katy Larkin, as
Ariel’s six mean-girl mersisters, capture their share of laughs as a delightful
ensemble, with each creating her own clearly drawn characterisation.
Jack Morton
is a stand-out as the cheeky seagull, Scuttle, especially when leading a team
of tap-dancing gulls for “Positoovity” and Joss Kent is simply marvellous as the
manic Chef Louis. Indeed there are so many good individual performances that it
is tempting not to list everyone on stage.
However, two
of the performers rise above even these. Janie Lawson, offers the best work
this reviewer has seen from her, to create a truly masterly villainess in
Ursula the octopus, constantly on the move and skilfully phrasing her lyrics,
especially “Poor Unfortunate Souls”.
Meaghan
Stewart also ceased the opportunity to create a memorable character as
Sebastian, the lobster, literally leaving the opening night audience cheering as
she led the ensemble through Jodi Hammond’s spectacular staging of “Under The
Sea”.
While the
attractive recorded soundtrack gives the production a professional sound, it
also led to a few draggy moments and occasionally drowned some of the un-miked
singing. Full-marks however to Musical Director, Adam Blum for obtaining some
lovely choral singing from the ensemble; to Fiona Leach for her imaginative
costumes, (though hopefully some badly crushed dresses which spoilt the final
scene will be rectified quickly); and full marks to Ickle Pickle productions
for this delightful holiday entertainment. Don’t know about the kids, but this
reviewer loved it.
Photos by Cathy Breen
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 11.01.20
