Review by Charlotte Fairfax
The Young Performers’ Project:
Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr
Milkwood Theatre, Danville: 2 – 12 April
Young Performer’s Project has outdone themselves with their excellent staging of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr – a delightful sojourn to the magical kingdom of dreamy mermaids, a handsome prince, loyal friends, a kindly king and crafty villains.
We are transported variously to a watery kingdom of translucent jelly fish, shimmering mermaids, and delicate sea creatures; as well as to a tropical beach inhabited by noisy inquisitive seagulls; onboard a naval vessel with a host of busy sailors; to the royal palace kitchen and grand banqueting hall.
The well-oiled team of Des Govender (producer and musical director), Daisy Spencer (director); Evashnee Pillay (choreographer) and Anthony Govender (sound design) have created a fast-paced, visually sumptuous, slick staging of the Disney classic. They have sensibly opted for the punchier, shorter, condensed hour-long Junior version.
Hats off to Kathy Singery for the delightful costumes – sewing acres of billowy chiffon and sparkly sequins; and to Nicolene Steyn and her team for an effective set which utilises brilliant projection, rocks and sea-sand, and the clever use of a multi-purpose “A” frame movable steps rostrum.
It is joyous watching the performers just get better and better with every new theatrical challenge. Chloe Marot (St Mary’s DSG) is a regal and graceful Ariel. She swops her ogre green for a mermaid’s tail – last year she was one of the Fiona’s in Shrek. She has some great showy numbers to sing, contrasting with scenes performed in silence, as her character barters her new human legs in exchange for her glorious singing voice.
Her handsome prince Eric is Matthew Brown, oozing sweetness and matinee idol charm. Ariel’s friends are the bashful Sebastian, a pincer wielding crab, with a great Jamaican accent (Khethukuthula Ngcobo) and the pretty blue and yellow angelfish Flounder (Azania Mavimbela from Crawford North Coast) Azania‘s Mum, Sindi, was also in YPP when she was at school, 17 years ago!
Delightful cameos include Prince Eric’s minder, the stodgy British Grimsby – played with great haughty aristocratic aplomb by Nate Nefdt (DHS); the flamboyant seafood loving Chef Louis (Toti High’s Clive Ngcobo) who gives Sebastian a hearty runaround; Flotsom (Nzuzo Buthelezi, DHS) and Jetsame (Onke Gumede, Hillcrest High) the two slithery eels, goons to the wicked power hungry, scheming seawitch Ursula (Ntsako Mngoma).
ISPA’s Daniel Mayiza is absolutely fabulous as the benign, patient and imposing King Triton, ruler of the underwater kingdom, and widowed father to a slew of headstrong mermaid daughters. With Gandolf-like long grey hair and fluffy moustache, his performance personifies the gentle giant – firm yet kind. Another lovely performance was Scuttle, the head seagull, played with Biggles flying hat and attitude by Kaitlyn Rex (from Apollo Secondary) who stole our hearts as the darling orphan, in Annie.
The challenge of directing a large cast is not just about the leads, as much as the ensemble – giving them purpose and focus. The YPP team has ensured that all 52 performers in the cast are engaged and involved throughout.
I’m not particularly familiar with most of the music from The Little Mermaid Jr – but the children around me sang along to the big numbers “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”
The Little Mermaid Jr is a clever script, appealing concept and engages boys and girls, young and old. It is faced-paced, immensely watchable, and the opening night audience certainly loved every minute, giving it an enthusiastic ovation.
It is at The Milkwood Theatre in Durban North over the Easter holidays until 12 April. Tickets are through Webtickets. (Parking on the field, entrance off Newport Avenue)
Audience members are welcome to dress up – there were some gorgeous mermaids and sparkly princesses on opening night!
Good to Know:
Tickets; Webtickets
Scholars and pensioners 10% off any seats throughout.
The show runs at 65 minutes – no interval
Audiences can meet the stage characters after the show
Special low price tickets of R100 for performances 11am on 8, 9 and 10 April – reserve them on email yppdurban@gmail.com / at the door. (subject to availability)
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