It opens with a bang, followed by a swear. Unfortunate is vulgar, it’s garish and it’s laugh out loud funny.
Straight from Edinburgh Fringe, by Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx, this sold out show is one to catch if you can. From constant fish jokes to smutty humour and vulgar lines, it’s a show for adults.
Following the success of other villainess backstories, with Wicked taking the West End by storm and Maleficent claiming the silver screen, Unfortunate's audience is a little different. With only six actors and a hell of a lot of quick changes, it’s a true fringe show. Each actor absolutely smashed all of their roles and the audience’s enjoyment was obvious in the standing ovation.
READ MORE: Review: We Will Rock You at Palace Theatre
The show tells a new story, one that explains how Ursula came to be. A twenty year long example of mistaken identity and a deal promised between two ex-lovers paints Ursula in an entirely new light.
Due to cast sickness, a last minute change to the line-up saw the phenomenal Allie Dart playing Ursula and Danni Payne taking on the role of Sebastian, with a wonderfully unexpected Irish accent. Alongside them, was the excellent George Whitty as Trident, whose singing voice is to be revered, Miracle Chance as Ariel, bringing slapstick humour back, Jamie Mawson showing us a new side to Eric and Jack Gray, seemingly, bringing every other character to life.
An Ariel from TOWIE and a Trident crushing on Ursula. This show was subversive, immersive, and flipped around the classic fairytale, bringing in wokeisms and condemning the ‘right fins of Alantica’, who’s city motto is: ‘liveus, laugheus, loveus.’ The show takes nothing but chances and offers vampy, campy characters and nasty language galore.
Creatures from the under the sea, both fish and foe are portrayed by puppets and given their own personalities. The most inventive is Kirsty, Trident's best friend and sea cucumber, played by a cucumber.
The songs were a mixture of classic Disney samples, with notes reminding the audience of Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, and of course: The Little Mermind. One track stands out: 'We Didn't Make it to Disney', a song that wouldn't be out of place in a Tim Burton film but instead reminds the audience of Disney's apparent preference for the same old troupes.
The show first premiered at Edinburgh Fringe in 2019 and has only grown in popularity, songs, and show length - even gaining a cult following. While the show is a comedy, it plays some serious messages about body image, consent and and rights over your own body topping the list.
She's brash, she's bold, she's vulgar to boot, but evil? No. Misunderstood, hyper-sexual and truly confident? Yes. Ursula is a new age role model.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
-
The best new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester this September
-
The world's largest chicken wing festival is coming to The Trafford Centre for the first time
-
Restaurant chain boss reveals his huge rise in energy bills as new price cap announced
-
The new food hall and live venue made ‘with love’ that’s breathing life into an ‘iconic building’
-
The best restaurants and takeaways open late at night in Greater Manchester
