Poor Unfortunate Ursula the Sea Witch returns to London

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch is officially making a splash in London once again.

The hit musical parody will transfer to The Other Palace for a strictly limited season from Friday 6 February to Sunday 5 April 2026.

Before that, the show kicks off a festive run at The Lowry in Manchester this Friday 5 December, playing until Sunday 11 January.

The 2026 season marks the show’s fourth incarnation and it’s coming back bigger, bolder and definitely ruder.

Expect a completely refreshed production with a new set, new costumes, new characters, new jokes and a snappier two-hour running time including an interval.

We’ve heard from Cruella, we’ve heard from Maleficent… now it’s finally Ursula’s turn.

When Disney released The Little Mermaid back in 1989, they probably didn’t expect Ursula to become a cultural icon. But she did and then some. Loud, whip-smart, wickedly funny and gloriously plus-sized, Ursula broke every princess mould in sight. She’s plump, purple, proud and a certified queer icon with a message for every “poor unfortunate soul”: love the skin you’re in, use your voice and never apologise for taking up space.

Unfortunate serves up a wild, gleefully filthy origin story full of pop bangers, familiar faces reimagined and enough eco-friendly glitter to follow you home. Bring your merfriends because it’s going to be a riot.

Since premiering with a sold-out run at Edinburgh Fringe in 2019, Unfortunate has become a cult favourite.

The show has played:

  • Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio
  • Underbelly Earls Court
  • Back to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022
  • Southwark Playhouse Elephant in 2023
  • Toured the UK for six months in 2024

There’s even a Swedish-language production currently running in Linköping!

The musical features book and lyrics by Robyn Grant (who also directs) and Daniel Foxx, music by Tim Gilvin.

The creative team includes:

  • Set and Costume Designer – Jasmine Swan
  • Choreographer – Melody Sinclair-Marsh
  • Puppetry and Movement Director – Laura Cubitt
  • Music Supervisors – Nikki Davison & Joe Davison
  • Sound Designer – Ian Dickinson
  • Lighting Designer – Adam King
  • Puppet Designer – Mikayla Teodoro
  • Casting – Will Burton CDG
  • Production Management – James Anderton
  • Associate Director – Eliza Beth Stevens

Additional information about Unfortunate

Website: unfortunatemusical.com

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch will play at The Other Palace 6 February – 5 April 2026

Performance Schedule:
Tue–Sat: 7:30pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 3pm matinees

Age Guidance: 16+
Running Time: 2 hours (incl. interval)
 

Take a look at what other theatre shows are playing in London

 


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