Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

She’s been giving main character energy since the premier of Disney’s The Little Mermaid back in 1989, so it’s only fitting that Ursula, finally gets her own moment in the spotlight. 

This outrageous musical parody with book and lyrics by Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx and music by award-winning composer Tim Gilvin returns to The Lowry for festive season and is bigger, better and bolder than ever.

Taking on the role of Ursula is the insanely talented Sam Buttery who delights in deep diving into this delicious diva’s backstory. Buttery perfectly embodies this badass octowitch, flirty, filthy and frothing with talent, she draws your attention from the moment she splashes onto the Lowry stage. Blasting out the powerhouse vocals with ease while delivering every killer line with perfect precision, most importantly she is a whole lot of fun and will soon make you realise maybe we’ve been wrong about Ursula all along.

Her scenes with Blair Robertson as King Triton are outrageously funny, together they deliver this genius script with razor sharp precision. Buttery is effortlessly cool while Robertson hams it up to perfection, the result is laugh-out-loud scenes throughout.

Allie Dart returns in the role of Sebastin (as well as multiple other characters) and proves once again what a talent she is. She commits entirely to each and every role, never missing a beat in this fast-paced romp with some of her characters even appearing on stage at the exact same time! Her scenes with James Spence as Ursula’s slippery sidekicks Flotsam and Jetsam are particularly brilliant. Spence like Dart also takes on multiple roles, from the weirdly tactile King Neptune to the wildly camp Prince Eric he’s utterly superb ensuing this precessional debut is one to remember.

Miracle Chance returns as the desperate and dim Ariel, when has the audience in stitches from the off with her deliciously crude lines, each one more outrageous than the last. Her quest to find her own Prince Charming, played superbly by James Spence is a scream, adding another enormously entertaining element to this perfect parody. Special mention must also go to ensemble members Freya McMahon and Fionan O’Carroll who complete this talented cast.

While the adult jokes come thick and fast there’s also a gorgeous theme of individuality and acceptance which weaves its way through the story adding depth to an already impressive show. The shorter running time for this revamped production ensures the pace is fast and the show feels fresh. This gloriously queer, creatively camp, celebration of difference offers a hilarious alternative for theatre goers this Christmas, it’s gaudy, glittery and utterly gorgeous!

Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Usrula the Sea Witch is on at The Lowry until Sunday 11th January, tickets are available here.

 

 

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Usual the Sea Witch

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Reviewed by Matthew Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There is a famous Monty Python sketch called The Fish Slapping Dance, whereby Michael Palin slaps John Cleese in the face with two tiny fish, whilst performing an absurd little jig, only for Cleese to retaliate with a massive slap to Palin’s face with a huge trout! Now I know this isn’t the normal way to begin a review but after watching Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch, you’ll feel like you’ve been walloped over the head by something bigger than a giant trout! Vulgar, absurd, and hilarious, this in-your-face musical parody is as crude as it is fun and I loved it, and dare I say so would the Python team too!

With cinematic releases from Disney such Maleficent and Cruella, told from the point of the villain proving to be a huge commercial successes, Fat Rascal Theatre’s march on the Mouse-eared media Megalodon with their alternative take on everyone’s favourite sea witch, is also proving to be a huge audience favourite.

In this retelling, the action rewinds 20 years:  Ursula, is a sassy, no nonsense strong woman, who heads to Atlantica in the hope that a marriage with the Kings son, Triton will save the kingdom. However the course, of true love doesn’t run smoothly, first some body shaming aimed at our straight talking heroine, followed by being framed for murder, sees  Ursula exiled from Atlantica

Fast Forward 20 years, Triton returns to his former lover, in need of her help with his daughter, Ariel. Ariel is his only living heir and will inherit the kingdom, however it’s fair to say Ariel isn’t quite ready to be a reigning monarch, more interested in men, and what they have between their legs than ruling the sea. Will Ursula’s plan work and make Ariel, become the princess those Disney bigwigs want her to be?

This production is an absolute riot from start to finish: catchy, no nonsense show tunes with big laughs, not just there because they have to be but there because they enhance the plot. Stand out numbers include the crude, but hilarious, Where the Dicks Are, the scene setting Nasty, and my personal favourite, We Didn’t Make it to Disney.

The cast more than matches the excellent written material.  Allie Dart-Munro as Ursula, gets the balance of sass and vulnerability just right. Whilst George Whitty as Triton, has a tremendous singing voice, hitting all the right notes. His is a dead-pan performance when compared to his co-stars. Miracle Chance is exceptional as Ariel, a gift at comedy, a real ‘jesters’ performance. Whilst Jamie Mawson as Eric, the handsome prince of the story is as OTT as he is ridiculous.

There is great support from Danni Payne and Jack Grey who play multiple characters and puppets including Sebastian the lobster, now sporting an Irish descent.

My only gripe really is the sound mix seemed off during the first half, with some of the lyrics lost in the mix, it was rectified following the interval, but I’m sure there were more laughs to be had if I could hear the gags.

With strong messages about body positivity, water pollution, the environment and #MeToo blended with a great deal of risque songs, and more ‘knob’, gags then the average Graham Norton monologue, this is highly entertaining and fun night at the theatre, just leave the kids at home with a babysitter and the subscription to a popular child friendly streaming platform would be my advice.

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch is at the Lowry till Saturday 10th September, tickets available here.