Dive into the enchanting world of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, the beloved musical inspired by the iconic 1989 animated classic that captured hearts around the globe. With a score by the legendary Alan Menken, featuring unforgettable songs like Under the Sea and Part of Your World, this stage adaptation brings Ariel's magical journey to life like never before.

Beautiful mermaid Ariel should be a happy girl -- she lives in an enchanted undersea country, her father is a King, and she has the most beautiful singing voice. But she is a passionate, headstrong teenager, and wants what she cannot have - to live on land. When she falls in love with a handsome human prince, Ariel is more determined than ever to gain a pair of legs. But her only option is to defy her furious father, and bargain for the help of Ursula the Sea Witch, with her voice the price of entry onto dry land. With the help of Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and officious court composer Sebastian the crab, Ariel must wordlessly gain the love of Prince Eric within three days or lose her soul to the ambitious witch!

If you are unfamiliar with the show you can check out videos for the Broadway and ABC Live versions at the YouTube videos below….

The show will be performed at Ilkley's beautiful King's Hall & Winter Garden. The venue is in the heart of Ilkley town centre, directly opposite the railway station.

Wednesday 9th July 2025, 7:00 pm
Thursday 10th July 2025, 7:00 pm
Friday 11th July 2025, 7:00 pm
Saturday 12th July 2025, 1:30 pm
Saturday 12th July 2025, 6:30 pm

Tickets will be available at our online box office.

Auditions are planned to take place on 22nd February 2025 from 1 pm. Exact timings will depend on the number of auditionees, applicants will be emailed with specific timings approximately one week before the audition date. Any audition recalls will be communicated with the individuals involved and are likely to take place during the week after the audition date.

Our auditions and rehearsals take place at our home, The Upstagers Barn which is next door to The King's Hall & Winter Garden and opposite Ilkley Railway Station.

Address - The Upstagers Barn, Rear Midland Hotel, Station Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8HA.

what3words - sulky.playfully.protester

Our auditions are open auditions, you do not have to be an existing member of Upstagers or Upstagers Academy in order to audition and we do not charge audition fees. We will consider auditonees of all ages and ethnicities and genders. The show is a full licence with no age restrictions at the upper end or the lower end and whilst the characters in the show may favour certain age ranges and genders, we audition with an open mind and are happy to consider anyone for any role. There are certain practical matters that mean we expect successful cast members to be 13+, unless the specifics of a role suggest otherwise. Please see the character descriptions for further details.

If you are unsure please feel free to email Show Producers Andrew Hewitt & John Clark at show@upstagers.org.uk

We tend to rehearse on Tuesday evenings (from 7:00 pm), Thursday evenings (from 7:00 pm) and on Sundays (typically from around 10:00 am). The focus tends to be on Principals on weekdays and Ensemble on Sundays, but there is obvious cross-over due to the nature of the show so cast are asked to avoid other commitments at rehearsal times.

Rehearsals are expected to begin at the beginning of April 2025.

If you wish to audition, we ask that you register using the online form at the link on this web page. Once you have submitted your audition registration you will be sent a link to an online vault of audition materials. We do not share your email or phone information outside of Upstagers, unless required by law. We will email you around a week before the audition date with a reminder and any further details about the auditions. If you register but then change your mind (or cannot make the audition) we would be grateful if you could let us know by emailing Show Producers Andrew Hewitt & John Clark at show@upstagers.org.uk

On the day, the audition will take the form of two or three sections, depending on your preferred role.

The first part will be a group dance/movement audition. This will be taught on the day and there is nothing to prepare in advance. Please ensure that you wear comfortable clothing to the audition so that you can move freely. Please also bring a bottle of water with you.

For the second part, you will be asked to individually perform a song (or excerpt of a song) for the Creative Team. If you are particularly keen on playing a specific role then please prepare a song from the suggested material for the audition. Resources will be available in the audition material vault that you will have access to once you have submitted your audition registration form. When singing in the audition you will be expected to do so using a backing track supplied on your own device. No matter what you perform at the audition you will still be considered for all parts.

The third part is some script work to demonstrate your acting prowess. Script excerpts will made available in the audition material vault and there maybe additional excerpts on the day should they be required. If you wish only to be considered as Singing/Dancing Ensemble then the script work is not required in your audition. When delivering your scene, remember to think about your character, who they may be talking to and what they are feeling. How can you get this information over to your audience through your audition?

Please be aware that being involved in this production is a definite commitment. Each cast member must be present for ALL rehearsals when they are required. The only exception to this is if we have been notified if/when you accept the role.

Full scripts for the show will be provided following the completion of a successful audition. If you are successful and gain a part in the production, we ask each participant to pay a small membership fee to cover your performers' insurance.

We will contact ALL auditionees by email, typically within a week of the auditions, to let you know if you have been successful (or if we need to arrange recalls).

Although widely known and beloved for its iconic score, The Little Mermaid requires a cast of strong actors who not only can sing, but also are comfortable creating characters through physicality and movement. Below is a description of each character along with recommended vocal audition material. Our casting process will not necessarily follow character traits from the film and we encourage auditionees to bring their own interpretation to the roles in the show and that the descriptions below are guidelines only.

With the exception of the roles of Ariel and the mersisters (female presenting), Triton, and Eric (male presenting), we will be casting all other roles without regard to gender. We are open to performers of any gender identity for these roles.

A link to a vault of audition material will be sent once an audition registration has been submitted.

Ariel is a strong-willed teenage mermaid who longs to be human. She possesses a keen curiosity for the world both under and above the sea – much to the chagrin of her father, King Triton. Big-hearted, she’s more accepting of and delighted by others’ differences than most of her fellow merfolk, but she also has a rebellious streak that can get her into trouble. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, our actress must be able move well in order to clearly convey meaning once Ariel loses her voice.

Vocal range top: Gb5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3

Vocal audition: The World Above, Part of Your World

Prince Eric is the adventurous human monarch who captures Ariel’s heart. Charming and sensitive in nature, he has a warm voice and demeanor that evoke his flair for romance. There is also a stubborn side to the Prince, who is determined to do whatever it takes to get what he wants – including the girl with the mysterious voice. Tenor.

Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: B2

Vocal audition: Her Voice

Grimsby is Prince Eric’s prim and proper valet. Rigid in bearing and personality, he is constantly trying to guide Prince Eric toward the throne and a suitable bride fit for a royal marriage. Under his stern demeanor, Grimsby truly is fond of Eric, whom he worries about and attends to as though his own son.

Vocal range top: C4
Vocal range bottom: C3

Vocal audition: The Contest

Flounder is Ariel’s sincere and sensitive best friend who rarely leaves her side. A spunky fish with a sweet sense of humor, he can be awkward and anxious around his unrequited crush. Tenor.

Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: A2

Vocal audition: She's in Love

Scuttle is the know-it-all seagull who serves as Ariel’s expert on all things human. Garrulous and off-beat, Scuttle’s eccentricities are more endearing than aggravating. Even as they make up ridiculous names and functions for common human objects, their intentions are friendly and their enthusiasm is infectious. Tenor.

Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C3

Vocal audition: Positoovity

King Triton - King of the Sea and a harried single father to seven girls, struggles to balance his political and paternal powers. A widower, Triton is as fond of his daughters as he is frustrated with their teenage angst. Even when unsure of his parenting technique, he is a tender patriarch who becomes a royal force to be reckoned with when Ariel’s safety and happiness is threatened by his sister, the Sea Witch Ursula. Baritone.

Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Vocal audition: World Above (reprise)

Sebastian is the choirmaster of King Triton’s court who has a flair for the dramatic. A meticulous and uptight crab, Sebastian is ever-anxious, whether he’s conducting a concert premiere or protecting Ariel from Ursula. When he’s performing – which is almost always – he’s undeniably charismatic. His movement should be more fidgety than fluid. Auditionees are encouraged to bring their own unique characteristics and vocal style to the character of Sebastian. We are not looking for a carbon copy of the film. Tenor.

Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: E3

Vocal audition: Under the Sea

Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, and Allana are the daughters of King Triton and sisters to Ariel. Full of personality and sass, each should be distinct in character.

Vocal audition: Part of Your World (excerpt)

Flotsam and Jetsam - Ursula’s sinister lackeys. With devious charm, these electric eels convince Ariel to visit the Sea Witch. Tricky and menacing, they are always lurking about, ready to take advantage of sea inhabitants at their most vulnerable moments. Altos or tenors.

Flotsam
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: E3

Jetsam
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: B2

Vocal audition: Sweet Child

Ursula is the tentacled and manipulative Sea Witch who is sister to King Triton. Cunning and calculating, she will stop at nothing to get what she wants – and what she wants is Triton’s throne. To gain the upper-hand, she utilises her slick sense of humour, a flash of glamour, and larger-than- life confidence. Ursula can be played by a low alto, but a contralto is ideal.

Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Eb3

Vocal audition: Daddy's Little Angel, Poor Unfortunate Souls

Chef Louis - the melodramatic head chef in the palace. Wild and frenetic, he becomes physically and vocally flustered by Sebastian, who always manages to escape his grasp. A tenor, he should be highly comedic with exaggerated movement and an over-the-top French accent.

Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Vocal audition: Les Poissons

Any gender. Ages 13+. We are looking for an exuberant mix of actor/singers and dancer/singers. Ensemble character roles including sailors, sea creatures, gulls, maids, chefs and princesses. The ensemble roles are demanding and so stage maturity will be necessary and the rehearsal process will be a full one, including weekday evenings for those in particular scenes/routines.

Vocal audition: Fathoms below