"The Little Mermaid" by Good Companions Musical Theatre - Derby.

Derby Theatre.

Mermaid princess Ariel is fascinated by the world and lives of people on dry land, and longs to someday join them, though her father, King Triton forbids contact. When she falls in love with human Prince Eric, she makes a deal with her father’s sister and enemy Ursula and she is temporarily transformed into a human and may remain in that state but only if she wins the kiss of true love from her prince within three days. The dangerous mission leads to a showdown between good and evil forces which only love can remedy.

Ariel is played by Helen Perry, who I last saw playing Princess Fiona in Good Companions' "Shrek". Helen really is a Disney Princess, or MerPrincess here. I could picture her in any Disney movie, and that voice! The tingles were going crazy on me, and that beautiful control she has, blended with her perfect pitch just made this the perfect performance.

Prince Eric is played by Josh Sly who makes his debut with Good Companions with this role. Again, I know what a brilliant actor Josh is, so his acting ability as the good-looking Prince Eric didn't surprise me at all.

King Triton is played by Chris Parkes. He looked every bit the Underwater ruler. Strong and powerful but with a voice that could melt an iceberg. His Lament "If Only" and "Daddy's Little Girl" are just a couple of songs that fly under the radar in this musical but highlight Triton's feelings for his daughter, Ariel.

Jake Perry takes on the role of the excitable Seagull, Scuttle, and it was with this role that my first surprise arrived, quite literally from thin air.  Scuttle flew on to the stage! Jake's injection of comedy, especially in the numbers "Positoovity" and "Positaggity" really jumped off the stage with the energetic choreography for Scuttle.

Playing Flounder is Lindsey Greasley, not that you would notice her straight off due to that wonderful costume and blue and yellow make up. Flounder is Ariel's best friend who helps her meet her charming Prince. Gliding around the stage she brought a lovely flow to her fishy character.

Playing the role of Sebastian is Cam Trail. There are several comedy characters in this musical, and this is one of the best. That accent was wonderful, straight away appealing to the kids' sense of humour, and the costume and make up was very, very good. Match all of that with Cam's comedy timing and you have another great character on the list. 

Heidi Hand, Eleanor Mallinson, Reema Frost, Jennifer Alton, Georgina Bateman and Lucy Gazzard play the Princesses, attempting to catch the ear, and eye of Prince Eric for his hand in marriage. They also pull in several other characters throughout as well.

Playing Grimsby is Steve Dunning. Grimsby is the Prince's guardian, and a lovely English gentleman type of character, who is more at home in a palace than a rolling ship. Having never seen the Disney film, this was my first real introduction to the other characters, but I love the very Britishness of Grimsby; let's face it, you can't be more British than Grimsby, or have a fishier connection. Lovely character acting provided by Steve.

Brian Counter and Phil Stanley play Leeward and Windward, the heralds in King Triton's court.

The baddies of the musical Flotsam and Jetsam are played by Tom Banks and Charlie Torry, who kept very low to the stage - I bet their leg muscles get a proper workout this week! Decidedly evil in both actions and visually as they serve their mistress, Ursula. Wonderful vocal timing with both Tom and Charlie in some of their featured songs also.

Playing the villainous Ursula is Deborah McPherson. Now, I love a good evil character, and when you get one that looks like Diana Dors (gorgeous by the way) and can belt out a song like Ethel Merman (what power), and be evil all at the same time, well that's my night complete. I must also mention Ursula's costume, which was fantastic. Deborah has a fan in me, to be sure!

Chef Louis is played by Martin Counter. Another brilliant comic character which reminded me slightly of the Swedish chef in the Muppets, but with a French accent, you know what I mean? Martin has a lovely feel for physical comedy with this role and is a real audience pleaser.

Playing Mersisters are Lisa Scott-Savage (Atina), Alison Watkins (Adella), Louise Simcox (Allana). Clementine Morley (Arista), Ru Kniveton (Aquata) and Claire Jarman (Andrina).

Emma Chadwick, Angela Plant, Olivia Thompson, Roxie Tucker and Cass Barrett play Gulls, Sea Creatures as well as Sailors.

Kate Trail and Charlotte Hanser also play various sea creatures and Maids

The male ensemble consists of Jonty Banks, Josh Greengrass - making his debut with Good Companions, Ollie Hand, Ross Trail, Stephen Mura and Gary Rowley. All of which play various characters throughout, from Chefs to Sailors to underwater creatures.

What a cast!!

Phil Simcox and Helen Oldham are the Directors, and no words can really express sufficiently the amount of work this pair have obviously put into this production. I cannot remember seeing a local theatre company use ariel strings to fly Scuttle in and to simulate Prince Eric floating around in the sea after the shipwreck and Ariel swimming up to the surface. The use of "heelies" to simulate the fish like movements and the wonderful scenic designs all take the quality of local theatre up another level.

The choreography by Jackie O' Brien was outstanding using various dance styles, from ballroom to ballet. The ensemble dance routines were just a pleasure to behold.

Musical Director is Richard Hodges. Another area which was absolutely faultless. The music from the band was clear and well mixed and at no point drowned out any vocals from the cast. A perfect balance, and even some of the more intricate songs were delivered with ease.

The music is written by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and includes "Part Of Your World", "Under The Sea" and "Kiss The Girl" among many other toe tapping tunes that you'll adore.

Lighting Design is by Jamie Vella and Sound Design is by Harry Greatorex. Both areas were executed perfectly.

The Stage Management for this show must have been carried out like a military operation by Stage Manager Steve Cole, assisted by Deputy Stage Manager Helen Blakeman and a whole load of Stage Crew.

I've already touched on the excellent animated scenery, aerial effects, costumes, make up and wigs, all hired in from as far away as Scotland and London, just to make this production as marvellous as it has turned out to be. A lot of money has been laid out for this show and I really hope that a lot of money comes pouring back in via ticket sales, because this is one of the best shows that I've seen this year providing excellent value for money.

From the lovely Front Of House people, to the backstage crew to the actors and technical crew, they have made this show glitter with excellence, so please support them as I can positoovly state that anyone from five to one hundred and five will love this show.

BSL Signing in the show was by Seb.

"The Little Mermaid" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 20 May.