A high-energy reimagining of Disney’s finest brings sass, satire and show-stopping vocals to Cathedral City.
The Musical ‘Disenchanted’, a high octane re-imagining of Disney Princesses, fizzed into The Lichfield Garrick Theatre this week, marking it’s UK Theatre premiere ahead of a month long residency at The Edinburgh Festival in August. It’s a major coup for the Garrick and one they have pulled off with real panache.
Written by Dennis T Giacino and Fiely Matias, the show has enjoyed two Off Broadway runs as well as extensive North American tours but this is the first time it has graced the UK theatre stage. A long time coming, but well worth the wait.
It’s a simple but tantalising premise. A selection of well known fairy tale Princesses are putting on a cabaret style ‘ show’. As each one is introduced, it’s quickly apparent that these are not the sugar sweet, demure characters that they have for so long been portrayed as. Far from it. These are feisty, savvy ‘tell it like it is’ women who are about as far from the magic kingdom as it’s possible to be.
The show is a whirlwind of delightful chaos and non stop energy. Pace never drops and timing hits the mark from start to finish. Crisp, on point vocals are cleverly intertwined with beautifully delivered satire that kept the whole thing racing along.
It works perfectly well in a theatre setting. Sara Perks set design creates a theatre within a theatre, complete with lush red velvet curtains and assorted props . But it’s also easy to see it working as a Fringe show with it’s focus on the characters and the songs rather than over complex staging.
Performances throughout from the 6 strong cast are faultless. It’s an ensemble piece peppered with glorious individual moments from a hard working , committed cast . Each Princess has her moment to shine, even permanently knackered Sleeping Beauty (Roshaan Saulnier) stays awake long enough to belt out her number. To be fair, the attention she is getting from Pinnochio would distract anyone.
Characters are exquisitely drawn. Rosie Napper is superb as permanently peckish ‘Cinderella’, dashing about like a bumble bee on a honey mission.
Eliza Bowden gives attitude as ‘Belle’ and ‘Little Mermaid’ but hits the spot with her Teutonic take on Rapunzel. Mess with her … or her hair…at your peril.
Louis Glenister hosts proceedings as ‘Snow White’, providing moments of pure stand up and sharp observations along the way.
Jewelle Hutchinson as ‘The Princess who Kissed A Frog’ brings the house down with a soaring vocal and Ashley New as ‘Mulan ‘and ‘Pochohontas ‘almost steals the show with a song about the merits of being well endowed up top.
The onstage band under the baton of Jennifer Deacon- Say, is small but perfectly formed, providing ample sass and punch throughout.
Costumes are spot on too, combining the traditional ‘look’ we all know with touches of shabby chic to make it all a little more contemporary and rebellious.
Huge credit to The Lichfield Garrick for making in house theatre with such universal appeal. Long may that continue. Directed by Daniel Buckroyd , Disenchanted is a Lichfield Garrick Production in association with The Production Garden . It runs until May 2 and will transfer to the Edinburgh Festival in August .
Ballsy, bonkers and utterly brilliant.
