Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ comes to Shanklin Theatre courtesy of Shoreline Productions from 13th -16th. In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, it is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.”
Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above and bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems and Ariel needs the help of her colourful friends Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. The Little Mermaid offers fantastic, rich costumes and sets, and the chance to join in for some of the best-known songs from the past 30 years. Tickets are available at Disney The Little Mermaid – Shanklin Theatre
First Act presents ‘Wonderland’ on 25th and 26th at Shanklin Theatre. Based on the well-known story of Alice, the girl who fell down a rabbit hole and entered a wonderful world of talking cats and animated playing cards, this is sure to be a fabulous feel-good show. We always love going along to First Act shows – the enthusiasm of the cast, and the variety of singing, dancing and fun is always magic. Get your tickets now, at First Act present Wonderland – Shanklin Theatre
Bembridge Little Theatre Club are staging the play version of ‘Stepping Out’ at Bembridge Village Hall on 27th -30th.Described as a ‘heartwarming, toe-tapping comedy by Richard Harris’, the play concerns eight individuals from disparate backgrounds and with differing motivations who attend the same weekly tap dancing class in a dingy North London church hall.
Despite the students at first treating the classes as social occasions, and showing little co-ordination, they later develop a level of skill and cohesiveness. The dance routines are the background for the focus of the play, the relationship and interaction of different people. Tickets are available from Ticketsource.
‘Hadestown’ is the latest show from the talented students of Ryde School – last year, their ‘West Side Story’ won overall best youth production of 2024 at the IW Youth Theatre Awards. The musical is to be staged at the school’s Jenny Kerry Performing Arts Centre from 27th – 29th.
It tells a version of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice, a starving young girl, goes to work in a hellish industrial version of the Greek underworld to escape poverty and the cold, and her poor singer-songwriter lover Orpheus comes to rescue her. Tickets are available from the school.
TheatreTrain is bringing the fabulous musical ‘Kinky Boots’ to Shanklin Theatre on 29th and 30th. An uplifting musical with music by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein, based on a true story, it follows Charlie Price, who inherits his family’s struggling shoe factory. Facing closure, Charlie finds an unlikely solution in Lola, a fabulous drag queen who needs sturdy, stylish boots.
Together, they transform the factory to create “kinky boots” for drag performers. The show is a joyous celebration of acceptance, identity, and finding common ground, proving that sometimes the best way to save something is to embrace the unexpected. It’s filled with catchy songs and a powerful message to “just be who you want to be.” Tickets can be purchased from Kinky Boots – Shanklin Theatre
‘The Addams Family’ comes to The Island Free School on 26th and 27th The Addams family have lived by their unique values for hundreds of years and Gomez and Morticia, the patriarch and matriarch of the clan, would be only too happy to continue living that way. Their dark, macabre, beloved daughter Wednesday, however, is now an eighteen year-old young woman who is ready for a life of her own. She has fallen in love with Lucas Beineke, a sweet, smart boy from a normal, respectable Ohio family — the most un-Addams sounding person one could be!
And to make matters worse, she has invited the Beinekes to their home for dinner. In one fateful, hilarious night, secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested, and the Addams family must face up to the one horrible thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations: change. Tickets are available from the school.
Ad Lib Theatre Company have stayed in Ancient Rome since their hugely popular ‘Julius Caesar’ in June – their talented team of actors now bring the lesser known but just as spell-binding Shakespeare play ‘Coriolanus’ to Newport Minster, in three candlelit performances on 28th -30th. Set about 500 years before the advent of the Caesars, against a background of civil unrest and hunger, the play follows a talented and successful military commander who returns to Rome victorious against their sworn enemies, the Volscii. Only one ambition remains – to be crowned consul.
But Coriolanus cannot do the one thing necessary to attain his goal – pander to the populace. A combination of his own arrogance and the manipulation of the people by local tribunes results in his being expelled from Rome, with disastrous results for the city, and ultimately for Coriolanus himself. Shakespeare’s tragedy has as much to say about politics and human behaviour now as it did when first staged in the early 1600’s. Tickets are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ad-lib-theatre
And finally, opening the annual Christmas festivities, ‘Sinbad Saves the Day’ is Trinity Theatre’s brand-new thigh-slappingly good pantomime this year, on 29th November and 5th – 7th December. Many a Snow White and Cinderella have graced our stage – but this year it’s Sinbad’s turn. Written by local theatre veteran Gwen Stevens, Sinbad must embark on a musically epic, swashbuckling adventure to win the day. Come along to our high seas adventure and enjoy all the elements of a traditional pantomime.
Gwen is no stranger to theatrical success and was recently recognised with IW Theatre’s ‘Best Play award’ and a ‘Accolade of Excellence’ from NODA, for her original production of The Canterbury Tales. Sinbad Saves the Day is the perfect family friendly pantomime and for fans of Gilbert and Sullivan, Gwen has been sure to include ‘We Sail the Ocean Blue’. Will the evil Sultan succeed or will Sinbad win the day? Come along and enjoy a festive family treat – tickets are available at www.CAODS.org.uk
Maureen Sullivan is a regular contributor to Island Echo’s coverage of the Arts on the Isle of Wight. Maureen has been actively involved in the Island’s amateur dramatics scene for several years, appearing in many different roles and guises with several theatre companies. In her free time, Maureen also writes and reviews at iwtheatre.org.
Catch Maureen’s column each month for the latest theatre and art happenings...
