THIS adaptation of the much-loved Disney animation transferred its familiar characters to the physical world of the stage and that was going to be a challenge.

How do you create all the magic of the undersea world and present the dramatic action of fantasy with human beings instead of animated artwork? 

Well, director Sabrina Schwery with her producers Martina Carey and Georgina Charnock pulled it off with the help of a creative production team.

The talented Barry West came up with a set design which seamlessly transformed the undersea world, to the sea surface, to dry land with clever use of projection, moving set, and transforming pieces.

It would not be The Little Mermaid without mermaids.
It would not be The Little Mermaid without mermaids. ( )

The design was achieved by the accomplished construction and painting/dressing teams so it moved with ease and was painted and dressed in fantastic cartoon colours.

The stage team, led by Sal King, managed transitions with smooth efficiency and the colourful array of swimming sea creatures, jelly fish, rays, and fish of all shapes and sizes held by blacked out puppeteers or animated by the young dancers, kept us enthralled while they happened.

All of this was enhanced by joyously characterful sea creatures created by local school children and older folk, who still have the heart of a child.

So many were the entries for this competition, that the whole of the theatre had been decorated with underwater scenes as well as the stage sides.

So, from the time you arrived until you left you were literally immersed in the world of King Triton’s Kingdom.

The lighting, again by Barry West, was colourful and atmospheric. Jonathan Hodgkiss provided sound which gave all the dramatic climaxes of storms, lightening bolts, etc, just when needed.

The dazzling costumes were perfect, transforming legs into vibrant and shimmering fish fins and the addition of glittering sequins, twinkling fairy lights and flourescent fabrics made the whole cast of ocean creatures shimmer.

A cast of seagulls for The Little Mermaid.
A cast of seagulls for The Little Mermaid. ( )

Super wigs also helped to transform actors into stunning mermaids/men, and the cast were also transformed into sailors and courtiers of Prince Eric’s on land kingdom, created in a way that somehow made them seem just that bit less vibrant than those beneath the sea.

Then, of course, there were the birds of the air and amphibians, with beautiful flamingos, seagulls, and frogs.

So many costumes and all so beautiful. The costume team are to be congratulated.

Make up was yet another element of the magic of this show and really helped convey the characters of the actors.

Overall, this production was magical, vibrant, and enthralling.

A scene from The Little Mermaid, in the Minehead Regal.
A scene from The Little Mermaid, in the Minehead Regal. ( )

The mermaid Ariel was played enchantingly by Alisha Yates whose singing voice was perfect for the role and who moved her body so well as both mermaid and a girl on new wobbly legs.

Her facial expressions and whole body talked when she was robbed of her voice.

Angelo Carey was the very believable object of her affections, as Prince Eric, with a great tenor voice and the good looks to play the male lead.

Sebastian the crab and confidant of Ariel was played with real character by Sabrina Schwery, making the most of her acting ability and versatile voice.

The role of Ariel’s friend Flounder the blue and yellow flat fish, has been shared by Alana Dabner and Elyssia Stuart-MacRae, with great charm and sped around the stage on roller heeled trainers. 

Scuttle, the eccentric seagull and expert on all things human, was played superbly by Natalie Carey. 

Colin Tennant played King Triton with a mix of authority and compassion.

His evil sister, Ursula the terrifying giant octopus, was played by Jess James, with a larger-than-life persona and superbly strong singing voice.

She was ably supported by Abi Jackson as Flotsam and Vinnie Martinelli as Jetsam, both showing maturity and confidence in their acting ability and singing with great strength.

Ariel’s seven sisters, so jealous and flighty, were played by Eleanor Sowden, Neve Salisbuty, Bex Tennent, Jen Salisbury, Rachel Stuart-MacRae and Alisha Coles.

Ariel and Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid, at the Regal Theatre, Minehead.
Ariel and Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid, at the Regal Theatre, Minehead. ( )

They maintained the complex harmonies needed to be backing singers for Ariel and in their own ensembles.

James Scott gave a very entertaining cameo role as the bonkers French Chef Louis.

There is not space here to mention all of the other supporting roles but suffice to say this was a real ensemble piece in which every person on the stage had a big impact on its overall success.

So, congratulations to all the sailors, sea creatures, dancers, gulls, maids, and chefs who made this production such a total delight.

The choreography for the show was complex and creative, so well done to all for learning all those routines and moving together in such an exuberant fashion.

It was clear they were all having a wonderful time, and they ensured we enjoyed entertainment which made us smile from beginning to end.

L.W.