200 NOT OUT!!! The Little Mermaid, Louth Riverhead Theatre. 11 May 2026

This review marks a real milestone for Review Culture. The journey began back in 2020, when founder, reviewer and photographer Andy Evans was asked if he would review a production of Oliver! at Grimsby Auditorium for Curtain Up Productions. Six and a quarter years, a pandemic and two new knees later, Review Culture has arrived at it's 200th review. Reviewer Andy has gone from a retired teacher to an MA in theatre and became a doctor with a PhD in Drama in 2025. During this journey, there is one performer who has possibly been reviewed more times than any other given their prolific strike rate and willingness to travel for the right role. That performer is Emma Wighton. So, it is only right and fitting that Review Culture's 200th review should be of a performance by none other than Emma Wighton as Ariel in Louth Playgoers' production of Disney's the Little Mermaid, directed by one of our most frequently reviewed directors, Jamie Harris who had given Andy the opportunity to shoot production photos during a production of Annie at Louth, paving the way for Andy's theatre photography career. Jamie Harris here, is assisted by the star of our original review who played Nancy at Grimsby Auditorium, the immensely talented Hayley Wrightam. There feels as if there is a certain symmetry to this review. Thank you to everyone who has opened their productions to Review Culture that helped us come so far. We are Lincolnshire's primary review blog and proud to be so.

It feels slightly odd seeing a second review for the same production at the same venue, having only just reviewed Disney's The Little Mermaid yesterday. That is because the team have an alternating lead performer. The first performance I reviewed was that of the wonderfully talented, Katie Plaskitt (who incidentally had also been in the original production of Oliver! reviewed in 2020). Today, I saw Emma Wighton transform into an ethereal Ariel worthy of the Disney title. Both leads are beautiful, talented and a delight to watch and audiences should not worry which performance they see, or perhaps they should see both as they are both so merit worthy.

Also featured in this performance is the alternate Flounder, played by 12-year-old Betsy Davy who was last seen as Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the same theatre. Yesterday saw a winning performance from Maisie Evison as Flounder. Yet again, both actresses bring so much to the role and give it their own individual stamp. There is something particularly feisty about Betsy's performance and she really convinces as Ariel's reliable best friend. I expect to see great thing's from Betsy moving forward at the Louth Riverhead Theatre. She has a fine future as a triple-threat performer. Who knows, one day she may become Review Culture's most reviewed actress in years to come!

There is so much to notice when viewing Jamie and Hayley's production that two viewings still doesn't feel like you will get a handle on everything you see, such is the splendour on display. It also gives us the chance to name check and highlight how many people work together to make a production like this happen. We apologise if, in error, we have omitted anyone involved by name and if we have, please message us and we will rectify this.

There are over 165 astonishingly detailed and creative costumes on display and I cannot stress highly enough how talented the team behind them are. The team is made up of Poppy Layton, Frances Brindle, Ellie Johnson, Kath Buckden, Pat Crawshaw,Christine Brumpton, Ashley Layton, Beverley Batt, Collette Gibney, Beth Ireland, Vanessa Allison and Mark Thompson.

The costumes proved to be a photographer's gift in helping us to shoot so many wonderful, fascinating photos for these reviews. This of course is enhanced by the fantastic lighting designed by Events UK and operate by Philip Marshall Jr and Mollie Tunicliffe,  assisted by a team of follow spot operators in Mark Cressey,Cheryl Lamming, Nicola Law, and Haitham Ridha.

The sound design is by Jack Pudsey, who for once is neither appearing in the show nor playing in the (super-talented) orchestra led by Musical Director Simon Percy. The sound is clear and bright and helps ensure that the audience doesn't miss a word of the singing throughout. Sound is ably operated by Will Lord.

The props are managed by Jean Bradshaw and Pat Fisher and the backstage team is led by Stage Managers Jamie Harris and Lyndsey Loveday. Lyndsey also designed the set, alongside Claire Gosling built by a fabulous team of builders comprised of Bob Booth, Eric Cahill, Claire Gosling, Lyndsey Loveday, Pete Marchant, Keith Mitchell, John Mowbray anad Carole Tinkler.

Also doing double duty is Louth stalwart, Derek Smith who supervises the digital projections on the impresive digital screen providing so many active backdrops, and is also playing in the orchestra. The music is so magical and the full band deserve mentions here. The conductor and second keyboard player is Simon Percy and he is joined by David Beer, Clive Platts, Toby Barrowcliff, Lisa Morrison, Becky Tipper,Karen Beer and Nicola Crewe.

Yesterday's review of the production also neglected to mention by name all the performers other than the leads, who make up the ensemble. The adults include: Adam Barber, Frances Brindle, Michelle Browne, Abbie Dixon, Stan Tillery, Jade Fraser, Heather Grant, Carol Morton, Izzy Peck, Bailee Turrell, Annie Walker, and Vikki Wright.

There are two teams of child performers and these include: Robin Allen, Phoebe Booth, Emilia Haywood, Noah Knight, Phoebe Lamming, Halle O'Hare, Rosie Patrick, Charlotte Rogers, Benjamin Smith, Daisy Blackburn, Evie Browne, Rubie Browne, Willow Cooke, Mia Lewis, Evelyn Lovelle, Elspeth Mason-Smith and Abigail Tetley.

Also we must not forget to mention Triton's other six daughters, played beautifully by Vanessa Allison, Miley Carberry, Eve Donovan, Ruby Hall, Lauren Harrison, and Isabelle Smith. Their singing and dancing provides a perfect backdrop to the undersea kingdom.

To bring a musical of this scale to life is a monumental effort and everyone involved should be saluted, so should the other helpers I may have neglected to mention, including chaperones, box office staff, bar staff and front of house volunteers. It takes an army of goodwill to stage this production; hats off to everyone involved.

Finally, I want to come back to the two alternate performers and what they bring to this show. as mentioned Betsy Davy is highly accomplished and confident on stage and really brings a sense of longing and wonder to the character of Flounder. She is the perfect blend of feistiness and vulnerability when the role demands it - especially in the presence of King Triton. Flounder quite literally flounders when confronted by authority. I look forward to seeing more of Betsy in the future.

As Ariel, the titular Little Mermaid, Emma Wighton is a gift to the audience. She has a delicate air and her movement so often suggests that she is, indeed, floating underwater. There is a child-like innocence to Ariel and her relationship with real-life fiance Sean Johnson, brings with it an undeniable chemistry and tenderness. Emma is every little girl's dream of a mermaid with her petite frame and expressive eyes and smile. Her vocal ability should be well-known to followers of this blog by now but she was born to sing Ariel's songs. Part of Your World is one of my favourite Disney songs but it felt special seeing Emma sing it in Ariel's grotto. She also brought really anguish to If Only (Quartet), a beautiful four-part song by Emma's Ariel, Sean's Eric, Kevin Campbell's Triton and Georgia Pearson's hilarious Sebastian.

I don't think I have given enough credit to date to three performers I have seen over each night. Georgia Pearson's infectious energy and enthusiasm initially impressed me endeared itself to me even more on second viewing. She truly commands the stage whenever she appears and is such a good dancer too.

Secondly, as Scuttle the seagull, Rosie Munyard charms and amuses in equal measure and provides a show-stealing cameo. She is such a strong triple-threat performer too. I adored her performance.

Finally, more praise to the powerhouse performance of Bethany Ireland as Ursula. Watching her performance in front of an audience of children reminded me just how scary she is and yet, she too offers light and shade in a tremendous and terrifying performance. The little girls in the row in front of me were visibly biting their knuckles and cheered when Ariel and Triton defeated Ursula and Bethany rightfully deserved the panto-villain boos at the curtain call.

The show opens tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May and tickets are still available). Get yours while you have the chance. They could easily sell out once word of mouth spreads.

Andy Evans 12 May 2026