A local theatre group is delving into the Disney vault for their newest production.
Tackling the overwhelming production challenges of adapting a world of talking marine animals B次元官网网址渦nder the sea,B次元官网网址� Four Seasons Musical TheatreB次元官网网址檚 adaptation of The Little Mermaid, promises a unique experience for audiences starting May 20.
B次元官网网址淲e couldnB次元官网网址檛 just walk into a costume place and say weB次元官网网址檒l take seven mermaids and a crab, we had to have them all made,B次元官网网址� said director Douglas Crockett. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not like the (other shows), where itB次元官网网址檚 all people walking around wearing people clothing.B次元官网网址�
Based on the Disney adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story, the production follows the life of 16-year-old mermaid Ariel, who rebels against her father after he prohibits her from dwelling among humans.
Played by Langford resident Angelina Robertson, Ariel is eventually forced to deal with evil sea witch Ursula (Fran Bitonti), on her journey to pursue true love with Prince Eric, a human, played by Oak Bay resident Jay OB次元官网网址� Connell.
B次元官网网址淎s a director, you always hope that your romantic leads will have chemistry, and IB次元官网网址檓 happy to say that Angelina Robertson and Jay work wonderfully together,B次元官网网址� Crockett said. B次元官网网址淎nd the audience roots for them to wind up in each others arms.B次元官网网址�
Eshu Martin as King Triton, Christian Bergen as Sebastian, Maggie Martin as Flounder and Bob Warrender as Scuttle round out the main cast, with 25 cast members in total.
More than a dozen behind-the-scenes crew patrol the stage of the musical, which follows the well-known narrative, but features distinctions that set it apart from the 1989 animated film.
B次元官网网址�(We have) Triton and Ursula as brother and sister, and that is (not in the film) version,B次元官网网址� Crockett said. B次元官网网址淯rsula has been banished from the kingdom, so she wants to get back at Triton and get back through TritonB次元官网网址檚 favourite daughter.B次元官网网址�
The production showcases 20 songs, including recognizable hits B次元官网网址淧art of Your World,B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淜iss the GirlB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淯nder the Sea.B次元官网网址�
The stage version also boasts a handful of songs not featured in the Disney film, another experience exclusive to the broadway version Crockett said stands out on its own.
B次元官网网址淪itting there in a theatre and watching anything live, you are going to have a different emotional reaction,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址�(ItB次元官网网址檚 different) than sitting in a movie theatre, or in this case, watching it on television at home.B次元官网网址�
The show runs two hours, plus intermission and opens Friday (May 20) at 7 p.m. in the Oak Bay secondary theatre, followed there by matinees at 2 p.m. on May 21 and 22.
The show then shifts to the Isabelle Reader Theatre in Langford for three performances: May 27 at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on May 28 and 29.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
