I was welcomed into The Lowry’s Quays Theatre in Salford, Manchester, to see Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch, a show that has already built a cult following and arrives with plenty of reputation behind it. From the moment the audience settled in, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a traditional night of musical theatre, and that’s very much the point.
If you’ve ever watched Disney’s The Little Mermaid and thought, ‘Ursula kind of has a point,’ then Unfortunate is potentially your kind of show.
Currently splashing its way through a new run, Unfortunate flips the Disney narrative on its head and finally gives Ursula the spotlight she deserves. This is not a family-friendly retelling, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Instead, it leans unapologetically into adult humour, drag energy, and sharp contemporary references, all wrapped up in a chaotic, self-aware musical theatre package.
Taking centre stage as Ursula is Sam Buttery, who delivers a performance bursting with confidence, chaos, and a very clear ‘this is MY show’ attitude. There’s something gloriously commanding about her stage presence. She owns the room from the moment she appears and never lets go.
Her comedic timing is spot on, whether she’s delivering a scripted punchline, leaning into a joke that’s so ridiculous it somehow becomes funnier, or improvising through technical mishaps and audience interaction. The result feels alive and unpredictable, which suits the show perfectly.
It’s impossible not to acknowledge the drag lineage behind Ursula as a character, originally inspired by American drag queen Divine. Unfortunate fully embraces what that might look like without Disney constraints, and Sam Buttery thrives in that freedom. There are flashes of panto villainy, stand-up comedy, and classic drag performance all rolled into one. It’s bold, brash, and gloriously self-indulgent.
Writing that knows exactly what it’s doing
The writing deserves just as much praise as the performances. It feels undeniably modern, as though the writers are chronically online with a concerning TikTok screen time, but in the best possible way. Jokes jump from Elf Bars to chemical peels, mixed with vulgar humour and sexual references that genuinely make you blush.
Not every joke is meant to be clever or polished, and that’s part of the charm. Sometimes the sheer audacity of a gag makes it land even harder. At one point, a joke about what Ariel uses as a beanie (you’ll have to watch the show to find out) left an audience member laughing so uncontrollably that it became part of the moment itself.
Scene-stealing cast performances
Supporting performances elevate the show even further. Allie Dart shines in multiple roles, including Sebastian and Chef Colette, and it’s easy to see why she has been recognised for her work in previous tours. Her Irish-accented Sebastian is a particular highlight, but the skit between Sebastian, Ariel, and Colette is genuinely inspired and had the audience roaring.
Dart’s versatility and sharp comedic timing bring a brilliant sense of pace to the production and ensure the energy never dips.
Blair Robertson’s King Triton is another standout. His chemistry with Sam Buttery is electric, with moments that feel so spontaneous you half expect them to break character entirely. If they do come close, it only adds to the fun. Their scenes together are packed with energy and perfectly pitched absurdity.
And, speaking of chemistry, James Spencer’s King Neptune (Triton’s father) is a gloriously unhinged addition to the show. Camp, flamboyant, and wildly inappropriate, Neptune arrives with the kind of energy that instantly shifts the tone of the room. There’s something deeply unsettling yet undeniably hilarious about a character who is quite clearly attracted to his own son, and Spencer leans into that discomfort with complete confidence. Quick-witted lines like “your auntie was your auntie until she was your mother,” land with jaw-dropping absurdity, pushing the humour to exactly where Unfortunate thrives. It’s outrageous, intentionally wrong, and an absolute crowd-pleaser.
Miracle Chance’s sexually charged Ariel is deliberately everything Unfortunate’s Ursula is aiming to stand against. She’s morally questionable and hilariously single-minded in her pursuit of Prince Eric. While Ursula, in her own way, champions self-love, empowerment, and unapologetic individuality, Ariel’s goal is to mould herself around a deeply unimpressive ‘straight boy’ archetype.
Miracle Chance plays this contrast beautifully, combining sharp comedic instincts with glimpses of a genuinely stunning singing voice beneath the exaggerated Essex accent.
Liveus, Laughus, Loveus
Visually, the show doesn’t overcomplicate things. Costumes and staging are effective rather than extravagant, with clever details scattered throughout. One standout detail, for me, was the tongue-in-cheek flag bearing the iconic ‘live, laugh, love’ slogan, reworked as ‘liveus, laughus, loveus.’ It’s small touches like this that perfectly capture the show’s sense of humour.
This isn’t a glossy, high-end musical theatre spectacle, but it doesn’t need to be. The details are thoughtful and well-judged, and Unfortunate relies on its writing, performances, and connection with the audience to do the heavy lifting. That trust pays off.
A show confident in its chaos
After successful runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, London’s Underbelly Festival, and a national tour, this latest version arrives refreshed with new jokes and songs. Even without having seen earlier iterations, the production’s confidence in its identity and unapologetic approach is clear.
Ultimately, Unfortunate is a show you have to meet on its own terms. Let go of expectations for polish and embrace the chaos. If you enjoy drag, panto, adult humour, and musicals that aren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves, then Ursula’s untold story is absolutely worth diving into.
Find all information regarding dates, cast, and venues on the Unfortunate: The Musical Parody official website.
The show is available at The Lowry until 11 January 2026. Book tickets now.
**Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review.
Kelsey Haslam is the founding editor of Magenta Adventures Travel Publication and a freelance travel writer with a focus on community-based travel, culture-led experiences, and theatre tourism. She is passionate about spotlighting lesser-known destinations and connecting travellers with meaningful, human-centred stories.
Her published work includes destination features and luxury hotel reviews for leading travel outlets such as A Luxury Travel Blog, Beau Monde Traveler, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
Explore more about Kelsey’s background on the About Page.
