Review: UNFORTUNATE - THE UNTOLD STORY OF URSULA THE SEA WITCH, Underbelly Festival
When you’re given the gift of time to work on your newly premiered show thanks to a global pandemic, you hope to open three years on with something worth waiting for. Unfortunate certainly does this as the musical parody returns to the stage bigger and better than before with a stellar cast, very comedic script, and excellently presented songs. Unfortunate began at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Fat Rascal Theatre team has done a superb job of turning this limited Fringe show into a full two-hour production.
Unfortunate follows, as the title explains, the untold story of Ursula, portrayed by Elliotte Williams-N'Dure. Williams-N'Dure is commanding yet vulnerable in the role, but what makes this show so enjoyable is its full ensemble cast. The remainder of the cast multi-role as all of your favourite Little Mermaid characters, including Scuttle the seagull, King Triton, Flounder, Ursula’s eels, and of course Ariel. Despite being just a cast of six, the actors work so exceptionally hard throughout Unfortunate to fulfil each part that this is easy to forget there are so few.
Whilst they all play their characters superbly, special credit must go to Allie Dart, credited as Sebastian, who can only be described as a chameleon of the stage. Dart embodies each of the characters she portrays in a way that could have her own family doing a double-take. Nonetheless, the cast is so strong every individual performance is established and memorable. Jamie Mawson as Prince Eric plays narcissism almost too well, Miracle Chance is hilarious as the air-head mermaid Ariel and George Whitty’s (King Triton) voice will have you wondering if you’re actually in the audience of Phantom.
With so many references, Disney adults are welcome, but be aware this is not your normal Disney fairytale, and it is strictly not for kids! Despite strong adult themes, something Unfortunate does well is to not let the obscenities overrule the plot and it maintains a good balance of filth and fun. Unfortunate appeals to the nostalgia of those who grew up watching The Little Mermaid with comical rewrites of the classic songs and the Disney story retold in a way you could never have dreamt up. However, if you are unfamiliar with the original film, you may find the story confusing at times.
The concept of a Disney villain’s backstory has been done many times in the last few years but Fat Rascal have created something worth buying a ticket for with Unfortunate. Though it’s not at the same level as many huge productions currently available, the costumes, props, staging and lighting fit the show fantastically and the show is filled with funny lyrics and strong direction to complement its solid cast.
Unfortunate is one of the best nights out you can have at the theatre and will have you wishing you could be ‘part of that world’ each night.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Cat Hancock
Unfortunate plays at Underbelly Festival, Earls Court until 16 July, with tickets available here.