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PRESENTED BY WILDPARK ENTERTAINMENT AND DIANNE ROBERTS
BOOK AND LYRICS BY ROBYN GRANT & DANIEL FOXX AND MUSIC BY TIM GILVIN
Critically acclaimed musical parody Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch is set to return this December following its highly successful 2022 UK tour. With an original hot pop soundtrack and trademark filthy humour, the production will splash into Southwark Playhouse Elephant for 10 weeks this winter before swimming across the UK through to summer 2024. Tickets are now on sale for most venues with more to be announced soon. With a new script and production, the latest version of this hit show is bigger, bolder and sexier than ever before.
When Disney released The Little Mermaid in 1989, they had no idea they were giving birth to an icon. Ursula the Sea Witch quickly took her place as the queen of Disney villains: a pop culture legend and a feminist badass. She’s loud. She’s clever. She’s a ruthless businesswoman, and oh boy, is she sexy. Sexy, and unapologetically plus-sized. She’s not defined by slipper-sized feet, or enchanted blonde hair, or snow-white skin. Ursula is plump, purple and proud. A queer icon with a message for us poor unfortunate souls: love the skin you’re in, value your voice over your body, and don’t be afraid to be a little bit nasty. Cruella told her side, and Maleficent’s had her moment... Now the legendary sea witch is ready to spill in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers - a laugh-a-minute dive through Ursula’s backstory filled with a filthy pop soundtrack, much loved characters as you’ve never seen them before and enough (eco-friendly) glitter to keep you sparkling all the way home. Gather up your merfriends; it’s going to be one hell of a beach party.
The smash-hit show was written by Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx, with music by award-winning composer and musicals-writer Tim Gilvin. Robyn, who will also be directing Unfortunate, is a Leeds-born director, writer and performer who specialises in comedy and creating exciting roles for women. Her work has won and been nominated for several awards. Robyn is currently assistant director on 2:22 A Ghost Story playing at the Apollo Theatre in the West End and will be the Associate Director on its 2023/2024 UK Tour. Daniel is an award-winning comedian and writer from London. On screen, he has performed on BBC One, BBC Three and Comedy Central UK, whilst his comedy sketch videos have earned him a huge online following and tens of millions of views. On stage, Daniel has provided tour support for Josh Widdicombe, Rosie Jones, Judi Love and Sofie Hagen. Tim’s previous musicals include Stay Awake, Jake (The Other Palace 2014, Vault 2016, Southwark Playhouse 2020) and Help! We Are Still Alive (Seven Dials Playhouse, 2022). He also has other shows in development with various companies including Royal and Derngate and Perfect Pitch.
The creative team includes set, costume and puppet designer Abby Clarke (nominated for the Linbury Prize 2019, Stage Debut Awards 2019), choreographer Melody Sinclair (Associate Choreographer Six) and musical director Arlene McNaught (Six, Assistant MD for We Will Rock You). Flying and effects will be done by John Maddox for Suspended Illusions (Newsies, Ocean at the End of the Lane). Casting is by Sarah Leung CDG (Allegiance, To Wong Foo the Musical).
LISTINGS
Southwark Playhouse Elephant
Friday 8th December 2023 - Saturday 17th February 2024
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 19.45
Thursday & Saturday: 14.30 & 19.45
Friday: 17.00 & 20.30
Matinee and early evening shows alternate each week, please check the website for the full schedule.
The Lowry, Manchester
Thursday 22nd February - Saturday 2nd March 2024
Liverpool Playhouse
Tuesday 5th March - Saturday 9th March 2024
www.everymanplayhouse.com/playhouse
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen – on sale soon
Tuesday 12th March - Saturday 16th March 2024
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
The Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Tuesday 19th March - Saturday 23rd March 2024
Birmingham Hippodrome
Thursday 11th April - Saturday 13th April 2024
New Theatre, Peterborough
Tuesday 16th April - Saturday 20th April 2024
www.newtheatre-peterborough.com
The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
Tuesday 30th April - Saturday 4th May 2024
New Theatre, Cardiff
Tuesday 7th May - Saturday 11th May 2024
Palace Theatre, Southend
Tuesday 28th May - Saturday 1st June 2024
Churchill Theatre, Bromley – on sale soon
Tuesday 18th June - Saturday 22nd June 2024
Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Monday 24th June - Saturday 29th June 2024
More dates and casting to be announced soon.
Tickets from £16
Running time: To be confirmed
Age Guidance: 16+ contains strong language, partial nudity, scenes of a sexual nature and flashing lights.
Website: unfortunatemusical.com
Instagram: @Unfortunate_Musical
Facebook: @UnfortunateMusical
CREATIVE TEAM
Book & Lyrics – Robyn Grant & Daniel Foxx
Music, Arrangements and Orchestrations – Tim Gilvin
Director – Robyn Grant
Set, Costume & Puppet Designer – Abby Clarke
Choreographer – Melody Sinclair
Musical Director – Arlene McNaught
Flying – John Maddox for Suspended Illusions
Casting Director – Sarah Leung CDG
Make-Up Designer – Maya Lewis
Production Manager – Titch Gosling
Assistant Director – Stephenson Ardern-Sodje
2022 PRAISE FOR ‘UNFORTUNATE’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Laugh out loud funny” – Manchester Evening News
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is the story of our favourite Disney villain as you’ve never seen her before – but definitely wish you had; a tale of scandal, sex and sorcery that you won’t want to miss” – Upstaged Manchester
“A Cult Show is Born!” – Liverpool Theatres
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Damn near perfection” – Theatre Weekly
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A must see – ready for the West End” – Fringe Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Unstoppable, mesmerising genius” – Broadway Baby
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Does to The Little Mermaid what Wicked did to The Wizard of Oz” – Musical Theatre Musings
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A mic-drop achievement” – The Spy in the Stalls
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Theatre Scotland
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ North West End
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Deadline News
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Musical Theatre Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lost in Theatreland
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Wee Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ West End Evenings
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ScotsGay
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Student
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sincerely Amy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Within Her Words
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mind The Blog
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Corr Blimey Blog
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Across The Arts
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Miro Magazine
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Broadway World
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Young Perspective
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Musical Manda
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