The Little Mermaid. Louth Playgoers. The Riverhead Theatre, Louth. 10 May 2026.

The Louth Playgoers have fully embraced the Disney ethos with their latest production, an ambitious choice - The Little Mermaid - based on the 1989 animated feature film and the later stage adaptation from 2008. They bring a big, bright, beautiful family show to the stage under the watchful direction of Jamie Harris, assisted by Hayley Wrightam, with musical direction by Simon Percy and choreography by Nicky Wright of Louth's Studio 2000.

It is an absolutely glorious feast for the eyes with stunning costumes all created especially for the show - something that many societies simply lack the capacity to provide for their productions leading to them hiring the costumes in. the care and precision behind every stitch is worth it to present a picture as beautiful as this and a full shout-out to the costume designers is merited here. The recently acquired projection screen is also used fully and to amazing effect in the show and the set pieces and props would be the envy of societies the length and breadth of the land.

The attention to detail is fabulous and the band playing live, produce a wonderful sound to provide fabulous backing for the most confident vocal performances on stage. This really is a production to enjoy as you sit back and luxuriate in the visual and auditory treat that is The Little Mermaid.

Most audience members will already be familiar with the music of Alan Menken and lyrics by his late partner Howard Ashman from the original film, which have been expanded for the stage with new songs from Menken and Glen Slater which give a deeper. richer sense of storytelling in this expanded stage version.

The show follows Ariel, The Little Mermaid who first saw light of day in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale of the sea. Ariel is a teenager, keen to know more of the world than her undersea existence allows. She is the free-spirited and slightly rebellious daughter of King Triton - one of seven daughters.

One day, following a dreadful storm at sea, Ariel rescues a handsome human from a shipwreck and guides him to safety. This is Prince Eric, an eligible royal that his family is keen to marry off. The story follows their love affair along with its trials and tribulations. Ariel is supported by her two best friends Flounder (a fish) and Scuttle (a seagull)the prey of her Aunt Ursula, a sea witch who wants to steal Ariel's voice and is prepared to stop at nothing to wrest power from Ariel's father Triton.

The show has cast two leading ladies to share the role of Ariel across its run and for the first performance, I saw a new face at the Riverhead Theatre in Katie Plaskitt. Katie is wonderful as the ingenue Ariel. Plaskitt possesses a wonderful singing voice and has tremendous charisma, that helps carry the role and ensures that the audience falls in love with Ariel, just as Prince Eric does. Her facial expressions convey the wide-eyed wonder necessary for the role and her performance never slips. I hope to see a lot more of this actress in the coming years as she is a notable talent and a real find for the Riverhead Players.

Her romantic interest is Prince Eric played by Sean Johnson, the real-life fiance of the alternate Ariel, the ever reliable Emma Wighton who, quite frankly, is a Disney princess made flesh in real life and I look forward to seeing her interpretation of Ariel tomorrow. Johnson has a rich singing voice and cuts a striking figure as a charming prince. He works well with Plaskitt and the audience will root for them to get together and along with the ensemble wish for him to "Kiss the Girl". A special mention too, to Eric's companion named Grimsby, played by Dave Howden.

Ariel's confidante and best friend is Flounder, in this performance the role is played by 13-year-old Maisie Evison who is already a seasoned performer despite her young age, having palyed The Artful Dodger in Oliver and Mike Teevee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She is an accomplished singer and dancer and has an effervescent personality that shines on stage. Her delivery as Flounder is fabulous, energetic and loyal to Ariel and is another memorable role in her performance CV and I cant wait to see what she turns her hand to next.

As Scuttle, the braggadocios seagull, Rosie Munyard is hilarious and steals the show repeatedly with the bragging and know-it-all approach demanded by the character and then turning her hand to singing and tap dancing in the song Positoovity. It is an assured and confident performance which I loved seeing.

The imperious King Triton is played with real gravitas by Kevin Campbell, a single father coping with seven troublesome daughters played by Vanessa Allison, Miley Carberry, Eve Donovan, Ruby Hall, Lauren Harrison and Isabelle Smith along with the two Ariels. Campbell delivers a solid performance and sings his solo numbers with impressive confidence and skill.

Triton, fearing for the welfare of his willful daughter Ariel, orders his servant Sebastian the crab to find and follow Ariel and bring her back. Sebastian is played with real flair by the multi-talented Georgia Pearson. She brings a joyful exuberance to the role and the energy she expends is well-spent and worthy of high praise.

The villain of the piece is the very evil Ursula, out to seize power from Triton and Ariel's voice played by another new face to the Playgoers, in Bethany Ireland. Ireland's experience as a freelance singer is clear and obvious. She absolutely chews the scenery throughout and the audience won't be able to take their eyes off her as she prowls across the stage on her impressive set of tentacles belting out tunes with true artistry and vigour. Her wonderfully creepy henchmen are Flotsam and Jetsam, played by Mark Thompson and Helen Sargent, two electric eels who will undoubtedly scare younger viewers.

The last noteworthy cameo is Chef Louis played by James Clark, a far cry from Joseph with his Technicolour Dream Coat or Lord Farquaad from Shrek. Clark is a vastly talented performer not afraid to throw himself fully into his various roles and Chef Louis is no exception. His cod French accent and gloriously over-the-top performance provides a fabulously memorable cameo that will live long in the audience's memory.

As always, a Louth Playgoers' musical brings a great ensemble to the stage and the show also features an array of quirky characters, both adult and child choruses.

I cannot speak highly enough about the work of Jamie Harris and his team in bringing this crowd-pleasing musical to the stage and audiences will experience a joyous evening at a time when we all need a pick-me-up. I thoroughly recommend you scoop up any remaining tickets before they sell out.

Andy Evans 10 May 2026