The Core Theatre, Solihull
Bringing Disney’s The Little Mermaid to the stage is no easy task, but Solihull On Stage delivered a colourful, funny and heartfelt production that had the audience completely behind it from start to finish.
Based on the much-loved Disney film, the musical tells the story of Ariel, a young mermaid fascinated by the human world above the sea. Dreaming of a different life, she makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula in exchange for the chance to live on land and follow her heart towards Prince Eric. Packed with well-known songs, comedy, romance and larger-than-life characters, it remains a favourite for audiences of all ages.
At the centre of the production was Helena McGrory as Ariel, who was perfectly cast in the role. Her vocals were fantastic throughout, and she brought a warmth and sincerity to the character that made Ariel instantly likeable. Combined with a smile that genuinely lit up the stage, she carried the emotional heart of the show beautifully. Her chemistry with Ben Butterworth as Prince Eric worked naturally, making their scenes together believable and engaging.
One of the biggest crowd-pleasers of the evening was undoubtedly Solomon Smith as Sebastian. Full of energy, charm and comic timing, he completely stole every scene he was in. His performance was simply epic, and the audience loved every minute of it — especially the kitchen scene where poor Sebastian did everything possible to avoid becoming dinner!
Lily Hughes gave a lovely performance as Flounder, bringing great humour and heart to the role. “She’s in Love” was a real highlight of the evening, with Flounder and the Mersisters creating a fun, lively number full of colour and personality.
Another audience favourite was Katie Elliott as Scuttle, whose comic timing and energetic performance brought great fun to every scene she appeared in. The tap-dancing seagulls were a brilliant addition to the production, creating one of the evening’s standout moments and earning huge laughs from the audience while showcasing the creativity and personality of the show.
Musically, another standout moment came during “If Only,” where the quartet harmonies were beautifully performed and really allowed the cast’s vocals to shine. It was a genuinely lovely moment in the production and showed the strength of the company musically.
As Ursula, Nicki Parry gave a wonderfully evil performance, clearly enjoying every moment of being the villain. Supported well by Ruth Bishop and Sue Burrows as Flotsam and Jetsam, the darker side of the story was brought to life with plenty of character. Adam Scott impressed as King Triton with a strong vocal performance and commanding stage presence (loved the hair!) While Dave Mellors brought warmth and humour to Grimsby.
The supporting cast were equally strong and added real depth and richness to the production, including Emma Davies-Doran, Victoria Wharton, Lauren Pritchard, Laura Carleton, Sophie Kara, Heather Bunnewell, Keith Parry, and Suzanne Brittain, all of whom contributed confidently and characterfully to the world on stage. The ensemble as a whole were fantastic, full of energy, commitment and detail, helping to bring the underwater world vividly to life in every scene.
Behind the scenes, the production team deserve enormous credit. Director Danielle Godwin kept the show moving at a strong pace while still allowing the emotional moments to land. Musical Director Mel O’Donnell led the cast confidently through the score, while Sarah Golby’s choreography added energy and fun throughout the production. Credit also goes to Stage Manager Adam Tullett and the backstage team for keeping such a technically busy show running smoothly.
The standing ovation at the end of the night was thoroughly deserved. Solihull On Stage delivered a production full of heart, humour and energy, and judging by the audience reaction, everyone left The Core Theatre with a smile on their face. I left singing ‘under the sea’ very badly, but I hope even Sebastian might forgive me. Thank you SOS.
Reviewed by – David T.
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