Theatre Review: Unfortunate - The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch, Underbelly Festival

★★★★½

Book & Lyrics: Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx

Music: Tim Gilvin

Director: Robyn Grant

If you want fun, if you want silly, if you want nostalgia then I have hit the absolute motherload for you. Unfortunate delivers all of this and so much more that it’s hard to believe there’s only 6 people in the ensemble.

Let’s be honest, as much as we like a hero, we all know the truth - the villain is just a little bit more interesting. Would you rather watch Sleeping Beauty or Maleficent. You just said Maleficent didn’t you? Unfortunate is another example of the “every story has two sides” trope that made Wicked a long lasting global success. And I think - though very different in tone - Unfortunate has the legs (or rather, tentacles) to be just as successful a retelling.

Elliotte N’Dure Williams stars as Ursula, and may I just say: Ursula, a Black woman? It just makes sense. Think about it, even in the original story: Ursula is segregated and belittled, and wants to teach Ariel that the most important thing a person can have is their voice. And Elliotte plays her with strength, a perfectly times humour and a real vulnerability.

The rest of the ensemble do a stellar job juggling the numerous other roles - Allie Dart is a real stand out, she’s pretty much a chameleon up there, transforming in an instant from role to role.

Something I loved about this show was that in amongst the big laughs and tender moments was very really commentary on social issues and some of the perhaps more questionable elements of the original disney film. From the importance of consent (ask before you kiss the girl), the very relevant issue of her body, her choice, climate change and environmental damage, and an incredibly funny moment where Sebastian the crab, played by the distinctly not Black Allie is revised to be Irish.

Of course, musical - no matter how good the script or songs - lives and dies on the talent of the singers. And this cast have it in absolute spades. From big belts, to beautiful harmonies, the voices are strong across the board.

My only critique is that it would have been nice if the “human” version of Ursula had also been played by a Black woman, and I hope as this show grows - which I am confident it will - this is something that will be considered. Because with that addition, it would be a pretty much perfect show.

Unfortunate is showing at Underbelly festival until July 16th before moving to Edinburgh Fringe and then embarking on a national tour.