“So tell me what you want, what you really, really want. I’ll tell you what I want what I really really want. I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna. I really really really really want...” And so begins this empowering piece of feminist theatre about mermaids and 90s pop.
They present an invigorating re-imagining of the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale, The Little Mermaid, packed full of glitter and Britney – a perfect combination!
Holly&Ted have put together a piece of truly fun theatre with a feminist twist. They present an invigorating re-imagining of the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale, The Little Mermaid, packed full of glitter and Britney – a perfect combination! The story follows a mermaid who wants to break through the glass ceiling and experience the music of the land. The first person she meets is one of her pop princess heroes, who is struggling with making the music she wants; not just doing what the producers want. It tells of the importance of girls supporting each other and having a voice in the world, but also the experience of growing up in the 90s.
The performances of the two actors are instantly endearing and likeable, warmly inviting the audience in to be “part of their world”. That said, the piece is very physical and the exhaustion of the performers begins to visibly take its toll towards the end of the piece. They each play a range of characters effectively, the sea witch being a particular stand out, acted by Ted but often voiced with a hearty cackle by Holly.
The show is filled with fun moments, from dance numbers to some excellent work with bubbles and a fan. Incorporation of 90s pop is a really fun and interesting concept, and for the most part is carried off very well. However the repeated joke, that much of the dialogue comes from different 90s hits, does begin to wear thin.
The set consists of a bathtub with blue streamers and poles. It is utilized well throughout and manages successfully to transform into many different props and locations, however aesthetically it does come across a little ‘am-dram’. These bold design choices do add to the overall feel of a production where the biggest values are fun and accessibility. This zany production has to be seen to be believed, and is a real joy to watch, especially for all those 90 kids out there.
