The Little Mermaid opens with a large cast of colourful sea creatures at the Pemads Little Theatre on Saturday September 1 and runs until Sunday, September 9.
The Disney show is the Rother Swain Drama Studio’s chosen children’s production for this year and will feature two casts playing characters like Ariel the mermaid, Sebastian the crab, Triton, Scuttle the seagull and the faithful Flounder.
“The Little Mermaid has really appealed to our students and they are embracing all the different characters,” said Sharon Rother of the rehearsals ahead of opening night on Saturday.Rother said they also were receiving “wonderful vocal coaching” from Terry-Ann Jullies, the vocal and choir coach and educator at Pearson High School who was responsible for the Footloose vocal coaching earlier this year.
Once again, the costume team has had great fun in devising colourful costumes to fit every shape and size – in duplicate – to fit a cast ranging in age from grades 1 to 12. As well as the younger children, there are also three grade 12s taking part, drawn by the sheer joy of performing despite matric trial exams starting this week.
“To enjoy one more time that wonderful feeling of excitement, as many little feet tread the boards for the first time. And, of course, the odd bit of ‘hero-worship’ because we are the ‘oldies’, doesn’t go amiss!” said the trio of Erika Visser, James van der Merwe and Kyrah Lloyd.
“It is the camaraderie and sheer joie de vivre of all the cast members that is so special.”The show also gives these older students a chance to grow, with Kyrah the choreographer for the show assisted by fellow cast member Gemma Bisseker, who also plays Ariel in the one cast.
Kyrah has been with the Studio from Grade 1 and this is her 11th Rother Swain production. She is hoping to pursue a career in dance and choreography and has embraced this opportunity.Erika plays the evil octopus Ursula and James the fishy chef, and both also will also be pursuing careers in the arts.
Erika and James last weekend won the Alexander Playhouse High School Drama Festival in East London and received glowing praise from the judges for their performances. Tickets for The Little Mermaid available through: gavin.rother@gmail.com or sharon.rother@gmail.com. Further information from Sharon: 082-774-9083.