Disney’s The Little Mermaid

HAMA’s production of The Little Mermaid is a beautifully produced, sumptuous treat of a show. Perfectly timed for the school holidays, it’s a top-notch production with appeal for all ages.

With excellent production values, from the moment the blue shimmery curtain opens on this production, this show has a gorgeous look, with an impressive multilevel set, designed by Maeli Cherel, picturesque costumes and a stunning lighting plot from Max Mackenzie. There is some great makeup and hairstyling from Manuao TeAotonga.

Georgia Rogers is a lovely Ariel, with beautiful vocals and believable persona. She works nicely alongside the very youthful John Berry, who is a very impressive Prince Eric, bringing some depth to this fairytale Prince. Cathy Woodhouse proves a very worthy foe as Ursula, wonderfully evil with some great spark.

Beautiful work from the merfolk. Joshua Firman is aged up nicely to play a strong, sensitive (and buff) King Triton. The mersisters are particularly impressive, working beautifully as a team with excellent performances from Megan Anne, Charlize Gosnell, Izzi Green, Tory Kendrick, Charlotte Louise and Kasey McKenzie. 

Ariel is supported by some lovely friends. Clay Darius is an audience favourite as stressed crab Sebastian. Fourteen-year-old Texan Crockett Groves makes an awesome Australian debut as Flounder, with Ethan Churchill a wonderfully enthusiastic, high energy seagull Scuttle. 

In other supporting roles, Greg Jarema and Brandyn Kaczmarczyk bring a lovely comic verve to the villainous Flotsam and Jetsam. Mike Nayar finds layers in Prince Eric’s guardian Grimsby, with Max Conroy having great fun with the frenetic French chef Louis.

A very hard-working ensemble (and junior ensemble) play a plethora of sailors, fish, seagulls, servants and more - showing off the strengths of Veronica Bravo’s musical direction and Megan Boniface’s high impact choreography - and bring renewed energy with every appearance.

A production to match the national tours that are still on hold, it is wonderful that WA is still getting high-quality big-budget musicals. The Little Mermaid is a treasure.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Kaifu Deng