"Aladdin Jr" by LEOS Youth Group.

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

"Who would pay to see people singing and dancing?" is one of the lines in this show, and I can answer that; anyone who loves great entertainment like this show. The NODA Award winning Youth Group are back with another magical production.

The story is one that we all know about Aladdin's stroke of luck with the magic lamp and finding his Princess Jasmine, but not without a few obstacles that are placed in his way. This incredible, and young cast, just bring the story to life before your very eyes, they had me smiling within the first five minutes of the curtains opening.

Aladdin is played by Quillen Parker, and I am so pleased to see Quillen rise from the ensemble of previous shows to playing a main role. You don't get to experience anyone's vocals properly in an ensemble but in a main role you do. This young man has a very strong, and surprisingly mature set of vocal chords on him, and I loved the controlled vibrato he has. Quillen, like his brother, is a triple threat as he has a great voice, is a brilliant actor and can dance as well. He has charisma as the would be Prince and is extremely expressive in his actions and his looks. A wonderful Aladdin.

Princess Jasmine is played by Alice Whitaker. Like Quillen, Alice has also risen from the ensemble ranks to main character status. Jasmine is a modern woman who wants to be able to make up her own mind about who she marries, and Alice brings girl power to the stage as Jasmine. I love Alice's voice, which I'd not really noticed before, with her being in the ensemble previously.

The Genie is played by someone who I've been a fan of for a while now, Quillen's big brother, Findlay Parker. Findlay is a showman and brings a certain razzamatazz to the show as the exuberant Genie. Another triple threat who also has a brilliant set of lungs on him, and in this production, shows off his dancing skills. 

The Sultan is played by Tristan Bromley who I can't remember seeing before, but if this young man is a newbie, local theatre has a new talent on their hands. He looks completely at ease on stage and he has a natural delivery and stage presence.

 Ivan Hager plays Jafar, and shows just how much fun playing a baddie can be, especially when you get "boos" at the final bows, showing what a great job he did. Another ensemble performer who I'm so pleased to take on a major part, and such a character driven major part. Deliciously nasty, you get the feeling from the stage that Ivan enjoys playing the baddie, along with his sidekick, Iago.

Iago is played by another young man who draws your attention to him on stage, Tom Lightbown, who we last saw playing Slim in the Youth Group's production of "Oklahoma" in February of this year. Iago is a great fun character, who would love to be as nasty as Jafar, and Tom is perfect for this fun role.

Prince Abdullah, one of Princess Jasmine's suitors who can't deal with the independently minded Jasmine, is played by Finn Cliff, another young man who has moved up from the previous show's ensemble to play this Prince. You'll also spot him in this ensemble as well. Another confident performer.

Aladdin's faithful trio of friends were played by Katie Whitaker (Babkak), Roisin Parker (Omar) and Bella Syson (Kassim). great fun to watch all three of these in action and they sound great as a trio as well.

Likewise are Jasmine's trio of Neve Johnson (Isir), Niamh Lee (Manal) and Nefeli Fryganioti (Rajah).

A young man who has a very powerful voice is Abraham Collishaw who projects really well as the "Spooky Voice", as well as playing Razoul.

The Palace Attendants are played by Maddi Woodland and Elizabeth Rippin.

The Guards are played by Chloe Cresswell and Niamh Syson.

Grace Agius is the Fortune Teller, Eliza Garavan is the Apple Vendor and Francesca squire is the Shop Owner.

The Beggars are played by Holly Brooks, Jess Peel and Jess Chatten.

The rest of the ensemble parts are played by Emily Dexter, Ella Charlesworth, Lucy Gordon and Lucy Coulson-Jones. I was told that Flori Tasker was due to be in the ensemble but had an accident with her leg a couple of days ago which prevented her from taking part, which must have been gutting as I know what hard work all of these young people put into what they do. Hopefully the recovery will be a speedy one for Flori.

Directed by Siobhan Parker and assisted by Claire Collishaw. This production could not have been directed better. It was very pacy and packed with energy, and flew by far too fast. The other reason for that could be because I was enjoying myself far too much - if that's a possibility!

The Musical Director for this show is Hannah Pettit. I probably say this every time I see a LEOS Youth group production, but the vocals are always so strong, and the more I see these shows, the more I see the growth in these young people's voices, especially with the three main leads. That is proof enough that a show has a fantastic Musical Director when you can spot such advancement in a groups vocal abilities. The ensemble vocal work is powerful and hits you like a tsunami of musical talent. This again is down to the group's vocal abilities and a good Musical Director.

Most of the songs you will know, "A Whole New World", "Friend Like Me", "Arabian Nights" and the gorgeous "Proud Of Your Boy", but the whole soundtrack will have you tapping your feet throughout.

The choreography by Lillia Scattergood, who makes her choreographic debut. Not only are the big ensemble numbers exciting to watch but take note of just how entertaining the choreography is for the Genie; it's pure Disney magic. Roisin Parker is the Dance Captain.

Stage management is what makes a stage show flow smoothly and Katie Bird is the person you need for that smoothness as  items like plants are slid into place and just as smoothly removed from the stage as nifty as a ninja. Or ninjas that should be as there is a team of backstage ninjas.

Set design is by Roydon Charlesworth, Katie Bird and Becky Kirkham and it magics you away to the Far East. It also provides a magic carpet that appears as Aladdin steps down a step in the Palace which, along with the scene's projections, takes us all on a magic carpet ride to a whole new world.

The Set Projections for this show are wonderful, almost like watching a Disney film on the television. There is one particularly scene where Aladdin is taken to the mouth of the cave to get the lamp which is very effective. Without giving too much away, the projection seems to transport Aladdin inside the cave and swallow him up. Clever use of good projection makes a theatre show so much pacier as it moves between scenes seamlessly, and this was the case with this one as we are transported from the Market Place to the Sultan's Palace within seconds.

The costumes, which are spectacular by the way, are thanks to Carol McTernan, Suzy Thornton, Judy Watson and Janet Whyatt.

Hairdresser is Carol McTernan. No mention of the make up person/s but I do need to mention Genie's make up and hair as being excellent, as well as the characters' facial hair make up. 

Lighting by Dave Martin, again adding to the colourful and exciting visual display of "Aladdin Jr"

Sound by Dave Dallard and Jack Clark was well balanced, clear and punchy.

Any good production will leave you wanting more, and this production did leave me wanting more. I wasn't always a Disney musicals fan but local productions have, over the past few years, converted me. This production is packed with energy and character, as well as love, because that shows in the faces of this group and their ability to make an audience believe and appreciate the talent on the Duchess stage. An appreciation shown by the standing ovation at the final bows. I imagine that there are so many parents who are proud of their boys, and girls, because if they were mine, I certainly would be. They all have such exciting futures ahead of them.

"Aladdin Jr" is at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton until Saturday 29 June.

 "Avenue Q" by Your Chance Productions.

Mountsorrel Memorial Centre, Loughborough.

This is my first visit to the Mountsorrel Memorial Centre and what a lovely place it is, complete with cafe and bar and a bright and airy seating area to wait for before the theatre auditorium opens for the show.

I've seen "Avenue Q" quite a few times now, so knew exactly what to expect. Well, that is correct up to a point, because this production is slightly different. All the other productions I'd seen had the full animated sections on TV screens. There was none of that, but the lack of these features didn't make any difference. There was also one other thing that was different as well, which I'll get to later.

Puppets, songs, a heart-warming story of a graduate fresh out of university looking to find his purpose in life – and finding a girl along the way. A show that’s fun for all the family.

Wrong! Very wrong!

"Avenue Q" is enormous fun but with songs like ‘The Internet (is for porn)’ and a puppet sex scene (which is hilarious by the way), this show is strictly for adults and in no way like any puppet show at any kids party I’ve been to.

The musical centres on Princeton, an arts graduate and therefore out of a job (What do you do with a BA in English). Trying to find a cheap enough place to rent, he finds Avenue Q and meets a host of wonderful characters.

These including Kate Monster who dreams of opening her own monster school, the humans Brian and Christmas Eve, and Gary Coleman – the child actor off Different Strokes who is now down on his luck and the superintendent at Avenue Q. ( I don’t think it’s giving anything away by saying that this isn’t THE Gary Coleman) and that is the other difference in this version. In the other shows, Gary Coleman is played by a human, as a human. In Your Chance's show Gary Coleman as a puppet is introduced. There's also a porn obsessed monster, a couple of male puppet characters who live together, a pair of little bears who keep coming up with "fun" ideas and a buxom lady puppet who relishes in her own independence, if you know what I mean.

There are some very funny, and non PC songs in "Avenue Q" and, even though I've seen the show several times previously and know the soundtrack well, this show still makes me laugh as if it were a new show to me. Songs like "Everyone's A little Bit Racist", "It Sucks To Be Me", "The Internet Is For Porn", "If You Were Gay", "My Girlfriend Who Lives In Canada" and "You Can Be As Loud As Hell You Want (When You're making Love)" sit well alongside gentler songs like "There's A Fine, Fine Line" and "The More You Ruv Somebody".

Puppetry is a very special style of performing and takes quite a bit of rehearsal. Your arms ache from holding them in a certain position, as do your hands. You have to become as one with your puppet and take on the personality of the puppet. No different there then to taking on any other character in a play, but with the puppet being the focal point, the actor has to become almost invisible, leaving the voice and personality to take over. If you've not seen this musical before though, you'll see that the actors almost morph into the puppet, expressing visual reactions as if they were the puppet themselves. An art form and skill indeed.

Another thing that this production has in common with every other production of the show I've seen is the way the cast work as a well oiled machine and that there is no way that any one of the cast is able to stick out from the cast crowd. One, because the puppets are the stars, and secondly, this is an ensemble show where to make the show a success, every one of these actors have to work as one. And they do, brilliantly. They all have their moments to shine. It's like the cast are a finely tuned orchestra, and if maybe one of the orchestra plays out of tune, you'd notice. This orchestra is of Philharmonic level.

Richard Kish (Princeton), Emma Barnes-Marriott (Kate Monster), Graham Buchanan and Max Eaglefield (Nicky), Thomas Levi (Rod), Darrel Parker (Trekkie Monster), Chantelle Ruston (Christmas Eve), Martin Weston (Brian), Gem Blake (Gary Coleman), Philippa Buchanan (Mrs T), Max Eaglefield (Lucy The Slut) Philippa and Graham Buchanan (The Bad Idea Bears) and Wil Morgan ( Ricky/The Newcomer), were all excellent and completely in tune with each other.

Directed by Jessie McLean, assisted by Becky Morley. Directing a musical is quite different to directing a play, be it comedy or straight, and this is Your Chance Productions' first musical. Jess and Becky made it seem like this wasn't their first musical rodeo because everything about this musical was spot on; you'd have thought that this was just another successful show they had directed. It's another show that Your Chance can list as being another one of their highly entertaining successes. This is also the first time that your Chance have performed in the MMC, so they also had that to roster into their directing duties.

Musical Director is Ryan Latham, assisted by Martin Lewis who have both obviously invested a lot of time and work with the cast. The songs are great fun and a lot of them involve several cast members, so getting those harmonies right has taken time; but that time taken has paid off because the sound of this cast, together and separately is excellent. Getting the right feel of the vocals, the comedy, the sultriness, the softness and especially the tone and accents of the character's voices with these songs is not an easy ride, but Your Chance don't opt for easy rides.

Choreographed by Becky Morley, you may think that with this show being mainly puppets that choreography isn't as important as any other musical, but to make the puppets look choreographed, the puppeteers have to have the choreography down as second nature because they also have to make their characters seem to move and dance. Moving and performing choreography makes these actors multi skilled as well as multi talented. It also means that extra thought and work is applied by a choreographer, and Becky has done a sterling job because I very rarely looked at the actors behind the puppets.

The set design is also slightly different to some of the set designs for this show that I'd seen in the past. A clever revolving section in the three main set sections of the houses in the avenue meant that we could see, and be inside the houses on Q. This in particular worked very well with the bedroom scenes.

Sound is by David Phillips of CORE - Production Services, and was lovely and clear. I could hear every word and the balance in the songs was also extremely well done.

Lighting by Abby Catto. I have always said that simplicity is always good, and when there's no need for fancy lighting techniques, that simple lighting design always works well. Nothing fancy is needed in this musical and the design used was perfect for this show.

The stage crew do a fine fine job led by Vicki Eaglefield.

The puppets are all designed by Paul Jomain of Q Puppets. Every puppet from the large Trekkie Monster to the puppet boxes and Bad idea Bears, through to the new Gary Coleman puppet were instantly recognisable, and who couldn't fail to fall under Lucy's buxom spell?

Throughout their run at MMC, Your Chance Productions are supporting Inspirative Arts, a health and wellbeing charity who support vulnerable people through arts therapy with this production, so if you've any spare cash, just fold it up, put it in one of the supplied mini envelopes, provided before you go in, and pop it in their collection receptacles when requested during the show.

"Avenue Q" is at the MMC in Loughborough until Saturday 29 June and includes explicit content and puppet nudity, so may not be suitable for little monsters under the age of 14. make it your Purpose to see this show this weekend.

Photos courtesy of Oolay Photography

 "The Full Monty - The Broadway Musical"

Nottingham Arts Theatre.

In this musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales.

One of them, Jerry, declares that their show will be better than the Chippendales dancers because they'll go "the full monty"—strip all the way. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.

For anyone who has lived under a stone since the film’s release, this may appear as being a play directed mainly at women with plenty of “eye candy” on show, but it runs so much deeper than this.

OK the show wouldn’t be “The Full Monty” without a certain amount of flesh flashing, and you must take your hat off to the male members for exposing their talents, but the script also takes on depression, suicide, pride, homosexuality and parental responsibilities as well as conquering demons and fears. The women in this musical also play an important and vital role, because if it wasn’t for the women, the men wouldn’t have taken such a bold move.

You will leave the Nottingham Arts Theatre on an absolute high because this is such a great feel good piece of theatre, made all the better by an absolutely brilliant cast. And a big cast it is as well!

Jerry Lukowski will do anything to keep contact with his son Nathan, played with great natural ability by JJ McCormack, and to get the money needed to pay Jerry's ex wife, Pam. Jerry is a complex emotional character with serious heart and charisma, and genuine tenderness for his son – a regular guy, basically. JJ really should do more musicals because he does have a really good set of vocals on him, especially his falsetto; this is shown off to fine effect in the ballad "Breeze Off The River".

Pam, played by Emily Hudson, earnestly wants Jerry to be an active parent for Nathan, but wrestles with strong reservations about his character and her own lingering feelings for him.

Jerry and Pam's son, Nathan is played by two young actors, Charlie Enright and Logan Cordall. On Wednesday night Nathan was played by Logan in his first lead role. I've watched Logan's acting talents bloom over the last few years as part of various ensembles, and as Nathan it's almost as if he's not acting because he has that natural stage presence. Just watch the scene at the dancing class, he has rhythm which isn't forced. Acting talents obviously run in the family.

Michael Coles plays Teddy Slaughter, Pam's current fiancé. Teddy is the complete opposite of Jerry – clean-cut, well-off, smarmy and revelled in rubbing Jerry's nose in it. Teddy comes across as not the nicest of characters, and that is testament to Michael's acting skills.

Dave Bukatinsky, played by Gary Thorne, you immediately empathise with. He has a great sense of humour, masking the problems he is having at home with his wife Georgie. Dave struggles with unemployment and its effect on his marriage. “Heart” is often used to describe this show: Dave has heart in spades! A lovable, good-natured soul with body weight and self-esteem issues. There's a lot of chemistry with Dave and Jerry, accentuated by the time both characters are on stage; they are best buddies and it shows.

This is Gary's return to the stage as he last appeared in "Brassed Off" at the Arts Theatre, back in 2016. Another strong voice, and another strong comedy actor. Both talents are highlighted in the song "Big Ass Rock", and the strength of his vocal talents in the duet "You Rule My World" with Harold.

Georgie, played by Emme Gunn, is a warm, down-to-earth soul who isn’t afraid to kick up her heels. Her exuberance opens the show and sets the place and mood perfectly! Her reality comes in dealing with her hubby’s struggles and trying to hold her marriage together. "It's A Woman's World", along with the other women is a stomping female anthem.

Malcolm MacGregor, played by Bertie Black, wins the sympathy vote as he is saved by Dave and Jerry at the start from a half-hearted suicide attempt, and then gives a lot of the comedy to the group with his special dancing technique! His frank self-assessment neglects to mention his sweetness and sincerity. Through the auditions for male strippers, he meets Ethan who supports him through a very dark moment and they become close friends.

Bertie is another actor I've seen many times, and I've often commented on his comic talents. They still shine in his performance, but you also get to see another side of Bertie as he sings "You Walk With Me", and shows his more serious side.

Courtney Harvey-Giddey plays Molly MacGregor, Malcolm's mother. A nice character laden role.

Harold Nichols, who is played by Sam Howard, whips the choreography for the group into shape, but he has kept a big secret from his wife, Vicki. Aloof at first, his dance skills are what finally, and arduously, brings the group alive. Sam also gets to show his vocal talents off in his duet with Gary in "You Rule My World".

Vicki Nichols is played by Pippa Ward. Charming and energetic, Vicki loves Prada ensembles but not more than she loves her husband. Flamboyant on the surface, her love and understanding are real. Classy, but easily one of the girls. A comedic triple-threat. I prefer the musical version of Vicki as it shows that she loves Harold, and not what Harold can buy for her; something that Harold hadn't realised up until the point she discovers his secret. The song "Life Without Harold" is a lovely fun song that shows Pippa's voice off perfectly.

Horse, or to give him his full proper name is Noah T Simmons also has a funky way of dancing but why do they call him "horse"? Mmmm I wonder! Played by Saurav Modak, Horse's “break-dancing days are probably over” but he sings and dances the funky show-stopping, ‘Big Black Man.’ Great mover with excellent dead-pan comedy.

Ethan Girard, played by Shantanu Bhumbra, brings a certain "glimmer" to the dance act in a BIG way! Ethan remains an optimist while struggling with unemployment and friendship. He energetically attempts wall-walking a la Donald O’Connor’s ‘Singing In The Rain’ acrobatics. A good physical comedic role and another success to list on his rapidly expanding acting CV.

Daisy Donoghue plays Estelle Genovese, Jerry's younger girlfriend. It's so nice to see Daisy play a role so different to those that I've seen her play before. This is a sassy and sexy Daisy, and brings a new confidence to her wonderful acting skills.

Jeanette Burmeister, the flamboyant rehearsal pianist for the men is played by Lindsey Hemingway. Jeanette’s seen it all and been there before. You can’t shock her, but she’ll shock you as she says what’s really on her mind! She shows up with a piano to play for the guys totally out of the blue and then steals the show with her ‘Showbiz’ number.

Jordan Peppiatt plays the stripper Buddy "Keno" Walsh. His show opening Chippendale-esque performance for the Buffalo ladies bookends the beginning of the show nicely. I couldn't believe it when I was chatting to the Director who said that this was Jordan's theatre debut. To go on stage in the first scene, in front of a packed Arts theatre and strip off to a G String takes some guts for a seasoned actor, but to make his debut baring practically all shows the confidence of a lion. I was also impressed by his acting skills later on in the musical. I was going to say that I hope we see more of Jordan on local stages, but after this week, there's not a lot more to see that we haven't already seen! His performance was definitely appreciated by Wednesday night's audience.

Mark Russell plays Tony Giordano, the owner of the club where "The Full Monty" is to be staged.

Roy Smith plays Reg Willoughby, the Union Leader. Reg also auditions for the dance group but decides that it's not for him, but not before he removes some of his clothing!

The rest of the cast are Charlotte Clay (Susan Hershey), Isobel Munden (Betty), Kevin Jones (Dance Instructor), Emma Nicol (Joanie), Joe Pritchard (Repo Man, The Reverand and Police Sergeant), Barry Hobbs (Police Sergeant), Alison Russell (Ally). Playing the Senior Citizens at the Hot Metal - that's the name of the full monty group - pre show practice session are Antoinette Lilley, Glenise Ellis, Mary Lobley and Sonya Belton.

Brilliant characters all and the actors all looked like they were having the time of their lives, and why shouldn't they because this is such a brilliant musical.

You'll notice several differences in this musical version of the film from the stage version of the film. There's no "Hot Stuff", or "You Can Leave Your Hat On" but you won't miss them because the soundtrack is wonderful. You'll go home with "Let It Go" resounding around your head. Plus there's the beautiful duet of "You Walk With Me".

Directed by Marie Rogers, this has to be one of the best shows that I've seen Marie be involved in. All the fun is there and so are the softer moments. I think that Marie can class this show as being a massive success.

The choreography is by Daisy Donoghue and Charlotte Clay. This is a big area to cover in a musical like this, especially when the choreography has to look quite bad when the lads are just starting out. The final scene where they all let it go though was slick, as was the opening strip scene with Buddy. I am sure that Daisy, Charlotte and Marie have really enjoyed their roles in the production team.

Musical Director is AJ Hill. I will admit that before I had a proper look at the programme, I actually thought that the music was on backing tracks because the sound produced was so very good. The twelve piece band sounded amazing, especially the brass section which was big, bright and breezy, punctuating the soundtrack perfectly.

Sound design and operation is by Rob Ketteridge. I've always been in praise of the sound at the Arts Theatre, and yet again, it was incredibly clear, and I certainly didn't hear any missed mic cues. Perfectly balanced, I heard every word of the musical.

Lighting, a very important role in this particular musical. The lighting design is by Oliver Read, and operated by George Wilson whose timing - as always - is spot on. I imagine that many of the ladies were praying for the lights to blow a fuse at the integral part of the show. Sorry but that may be more than George's life may be worth!

The set has been hired in from Scenic Projects and looks the bees knees.

The stage crew made sure that everything on stage was placed and removed as fast as possible, which at times must have been not the easiest task as some of the set were pretty bulky and I know that the wings at the Arts Theatre are not massive, but a smooth operation never the less. Stage managed by Maddi Pell and Matt Allcock.

What more can I say, I love this musical and it's got a self affirming quality about it. it deals with serious issues but always giving the audience what they want. A great night of entertainment with a bit of sauciness thrown in.

“The Full Monty” is at Nottingham Arts Theatre until Saturday 29 June. Don't let it go without seeing this revealing and extremely entertaining show.

 "Unfortunate: The Untold Story Of Ursula the Sea Witch: The Musical Parody"

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

Most of us have seen the Disney film and/or musical "The Little Mermaid" where the baddie of the piece is Ursula, The Sea Witch when she steals Ariel, the Little Mermaid's beautiful voice in exchange for giving her legs so that she can live on land, and meet her Prince Charming. In this musical, Ursula gives her take on what really happened all those years ago under the sea.

Shawna Hamic leads the cast as Ursula who spills all in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers; definitely not one for the kids, but deliciously entertaining for the adults! I've not seen Shawna before, either on stage or on TV, which has been my loss completely. Shawna, as Ursula, is big bad and beautiful and has a voice, and persona to match. If Tuesday night's audience weren't fans before the show, they left massive fans, like myself.

Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK star River Medway is Ariel. River is another new name to me, even though I dip in and out of Rupaul's Drag Race. This is my kind of Ariel because of the comedy side of Disney's mermaid. River has a brilliant voice and I can now confess that I am a converted River Medway fan. Drag is such a specialised art form, as is the comedy that accompanies a Drag persona, and musicals like this highlight the talent required to be successful in this art form.

Thomas Lowe plays Triton who looked familiar to me and after a bit of digging I found out that he was in a nineties four piece boy band called North and South, whose biggest hit was called "I'm A Man Not A Boy" back in 1997, a single that I have in my music collection. All of the cast are perfect for this show, but what really sticks out is Thomas's incredible voice. Two songs really show the broadness of Thomas's vocal range, "Sucking On You" and "To Be King". The first you get to hear the more rockier sound to his voice, the latter is pure theatre, both songs are full of power.

Allie Dart plays Sebastian, and the main difference is the voice. Gone is the Jamaican brogue and in its' place is a gentle Irish accent. Allie also plays  the chef at the start of the second act and we get to see a really funny scene to the song "Les Poissons", and done in a French accent.

Jamie Mawson plays Prince Eric, the object of Ariel's affections. Wonderfully toffee nosed with an added dollop of Hooray Henry thrown in. A little bit Tim Nice But Dim, and shallow is not just a water depth with this Eric! None, bar one of this cast I've seen previously so have nothing to gauge any of them by, but what I can tell with Jamie is that he has a flair for playing comedy.

Julian Capolei plays Grimsby and Julian's comedy bones really show as he transforms into Vanessa, the character who is created to tempt Prince Eric from Ariel. Julian is the actor who I have seen previously when he was in "Peter Pan" at Derby Theatre, and also in "Tommy" at the Nottingham Playhouse, if I remember correctly.

Corrina Buchan, Jack Gray, Jamie McKillop and Milly Willows make up the ensemble, who also operate the underwater puppets.

Written and directed by Robyn Grant. It's wonderfully camp throughout with massive measures of crudity. It's bold and brash and a breath of fresh air in the theatre. It certainly deserved the standing ovation given at the end.

Daniel Foxx, Tim Gilvin and Robyn Grant provides the music, with arrangements and orchestrations by Tim Gilvin. Additional orchestrations and music production by Nikki Davison and Joe Davison.  It wasn't until earlier on Tuesday morning that I actually discovered that the soundtrack to this musical had only just been recorded, by this very same cast, so I just had to download it for myself. The music covers several genres, and some of the songs echo the original Disney songs like "Kiss The Girl", now renamed "Ask the Girl" and you'll easily spot the comparison with "Part Of Your World", which has slightly more blue lyrics.

Musical Director is Arlene McNaught.

The musical features set, costume and puppet design by Abby Clarke. The puppets are created by Aled Williams. The costumes are incredible, especially the one for Ursula.

Choreography by Melody Sinclair enhanced the comedy of the show, and I loved the "Can Can" section.

Lighting design by Adam King was exciting and extremely colourful, the sort of lighting design that adds power and punch to a production.

Sound design by Oscar Thompson and Will Thompson. Now this is the only thing that I thought could be tweaked ever so slightly. It was opening night so tweaks may be tweaked to make the sound on some mics clearer. Some of the lyrics to the music were lost on me because I couldn't hear the words clear enough. This may also be the speed of some of the songs, especially the more "rappy" songs. Fortunately I had only just listened to the soundtrack earlier, so knew where the funny lines were and still got all the comedy from the songs on stage.

The make-up design is by Maya Lewis and Christina Semertzaki, and are superb.

This really is a musical that you need to see to get the maximum fun from, and no amount of words from me will ever do a show like this justice because it is so different. It has the ability to offend, which is half the fun of it anyway for me, but as far as I could tell there was no offence taken by anyone, obviously because this audience had a wicked sense of humour. It would be unfortunate for you though if you didn't manage to get hold of a ticket for this show.

"Unfortunate" has an age restriction of 16+ as it contains strong language, partial nudity, scenes of a sexual nature and flashing lights, and is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 29 June. Go on, take the plunge and discover what really happened under the sea. No cucumbers were harmed during this show. Or were they?