Unfortunate The Adult Disney Musical They Could Never Produce

Billed as the untold story of the iconic Ursula the Sea Witch, this wonderful parody on Disney, particularly The Little Mermaid, grabs you firmly by the tentacles, ringing out laughter from the opening scene to the final curtain. I went hoping for an interesting night out and left having witnessed the funniest show I have seen in many a year.

Starting on the premise of offering a pre-story, like Wicked, it ends with a very alternative ending to the Disney film. With an original soundtrack of songs, many with a haunting familiarity, a laugh-a-minute script full of filthy humour, and a cast of outrageous undersea creatures, it’s time to dive into Ursulla’s story and see what made her into the Queen of the depths and right the wrongs of the past.

We find out that far from being downright evil, Ursula is merely misunderstood in love, and after having her heart broken, she uses her sorcery and suckers to seek out her own happy ever after. Revealing what happened all those years ago and a truly happy ever after.

Over two hours of full-on camp comedy, the cast of only ten attacked the script with boundless energy and perfect tongue-in-cheek delight. Shawna Hamic plays the part of Ursula (apparently originally based by Disney on drag queen Divine) with wonderful wit and timing, turning the spurned lover into the murderous monster we know sits gloriously in her undersea prison. River Medway from RuPaul’s Drag Race shows off their talent by playing Ariel as an airheaded bimbo with her mind on one thing only and how she can get it. The cast works as a team, playing multiple roles, in particular Allie Dart, who is constantly on-stage, jumping effortlessly between characters and accents. One of my favourite scenes is the wonderfully choreographed cooking scene to the song ‘Les Poissons’ between River Medway’s Ariel and Allie in multiple roles and costumes.

The book and lyrics written by Robyn Grant (who also directs) and Daniel Foxx are a cross between pantomime and cabaret, hiding adult humour with a touch of childish innocence and a knowing glint in the eye of the performers. Perfectly staged within a wonderful set and with costumes and puppets all designed by Abby Clarke, with splashes of neon to add to the childish feel. Tim Gilvin’s music is handled by the cast, whether full-on rock anthem style or love ballads, with the occasional refrain that provides a nod to classic Disney tunes, at its best when the wriggly undersea puppets sing ‘We Didn’t Make It To Disney’. The choreography by Melody Sinclair moves between the balletic, can-can kick line, and sexy pop video genres.

Following its critically acclaimed small-scale production at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe, a scaled-up production was taken back to the fringe in 2022, as well as a UK tour. The current UK tour, with its 16+ age guidance, has reached new heights, with fresh songs, special effects, and a bigger cast. Despite all this, it retains at its heart a celebration of the individual. Full of infectious, playful fun and with an ending that Disney doesn’t seem to be able to write, but one that the audience is delighted with, Silly, joyful, and chaotic Unfortunate seems destined to be the new camp classic in the mould of The Rocky Horror Show.


Unfortunate 16+ age guidance

Bradford Alhambra until 8th April
Also at:
York, Grand Opera House 11th to 15th June