Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch at Lowry

One of Disney’s most iconic villains gets the star treatment at Lowry this festive season as Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch returns to the stage. Filled with sex, sorcery and suckers, this fabulously filthy, critically acclaimed parody musical is a perfect alt-Christmas theatre choice for those who prefer a transgressive diva to a Disney princess.

The Ursula of 1989’s The Little Mermaid was of course modelled on Divine, the legendary drag queen and star of cult John Waters movies such as Pink Flamingos, Hairspray and Female Trouble. Not that Disney would admit as much at the time. But Unfortunate reclaims and rightfully champions Ursula as a queer icon, utilising an original hot pop soundtrack and gallons of (eco-friendly) glitter to fill in the backstory of this plus-sized, tentacled purple queen and place her front of stage where she belongs.

Reclaims and rightfully champions Ursula as a queer icon, utilising an original hot pop soundtrack and gallons of (eco-friendly) glitter

Critics have praised Unfortunate for its wicked, high camp qualities and hilarious, laugh-a-minute script which tells the story of how Ursula was banished and framed, before being enlisted by Ariel’s father Triton to try and teach the naïve and lusty mermaid a lesson in independence. Indeed, despite being filled with characters from the classic Disney movie, this affectionately raunchy tale of pride, empowerment and loving the skin you’re in, is squarely aimed at audiences aged 16+.

The show features book and lyrics from Robyn Grant and Daniel Fox, plus music by award-winning composer Tim Gilvin, and originally premiered to much acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019. Since then there have been popular runs in Birmingham and London in addition to a UK tour and previous sold out shows at Lowry — so we’d recommend securing your tickets early for this return five-week season of performances.