Rodney Stevens
Featuring a cast of amazing local talent between the ages of seven and 88, performances the Clarence Coast Theatrical Society’s first musical for 2024, The Little Mermaid will kick off on Friday at the Maclean Civic Hall.
Clarence Coast Theatrical Society president and The Little Mermaid director Tracie Seipel told the CV Independent the talented cast that covers four generations of performers had been rehearsing for the musical since late January.
First published in 1837, Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid tells the story of a young mermaid princess, the youngest of the Sea King’s six daughters, who falls in love with a human prince (Prince Eric), and she makes a deal with a sea witch to give up her life as a mermaid to gain legs and a human soul so she can be with the prince.
“The entire cast started rehearsing after Australia Day, they have been giving up their Saturday’s from 10am till 5pm every week to polish their performances,” Tracie said.
“Everything is looking wonderful for some amazing performances…they’re a very, very talented group.”
Tracie said it was lovely to see the community engagement when the volunteer cast and crew held a working bee to build Prince Eric’s ship, plus make a variety of props and costumes, with people from Grafton to Iluka involved.
“Our youngest lead performer is only seven and she was the first to learn her entire script, she’s playing flounder and is very talented,” she said.
“The gentleman who is 88 sits on a comfortable chair on the side of the stage with his microphone singing, which is wonderful.
“There’s a big Tap-dancing number in the second half of the show which will look amazing with the talented cast we have.
“Our Prince Eric wears a hearing aid, not that you’d know listening to him sing, and he has overcome a lot to be able to partake in this over the last couple of years.
“We’ve got two girls participating even though it is there HSC year.
“Sumira Mahoney and her sister Alora are both very talented cast members; Alora was a soloist in the Schools Spectacular last year and Sumira is part of the Talent Development Program.
“Sumira plays Sebastian the crab and Alora is Jetsam the evil eel.”
The Little Mermaid will be the Clarence Coast Theatrical Society’s first musical since their pre-Covid performance of Mary Poppins.
Performances start on Friday, March 15 at the Maclean Civic Hall, and will be held on March 16, 22 and 23, with Sunday matinees on March 17 and 24.
Tickets can be purchased with cash at the Maclean Flower Box in River Street or online at https://linktr.ee/clarencecoasttheatricalsociety