NEWS - FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR UNFORTUNATE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF URSULA THE SEA WITCH

The hit musical parody Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch is back with brand-new set, costumes and a fabulous cast for its Christmas run in Salford.

The critically acclaimed musical parody Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch has announced its full cast for the upcoming Christmas season at The Lowry, Salford, running Friday 5 December 2025 – Sunday 11 January 2026.

Leading the cast is Sam Buttery (Netflix’s Kaos, Little Shop of Horrors, The Addams Family Musical) as Ursula, the iconic Disney villain turned queer icon. She’ll be joined by:

• Miracle Chance (Fangirls, The Witches, Heathers) as Ariel

• Allie Dart (The Comedy About Spies, 2:22 A Ghost Story) returning as Sebastian

• Blair Robertson (Witness for the Prosecution, Mamma Mia) as King Triton

• James Spence as Prince Eric

• Ensemble: Freya McMahon and Fionan O’Carroll

  
  

  

With a brand-new set, costumes, and a revised two-hour running time (including interval), this glitter-soaked parody promises a hilarious dive into Ursula’s backstory, with a filthy pop soundtrack, outrageous humour, and plenty of heart.

A Queer Icon Returns

When The Little Mermaid first hit cinemas in 1989, Disney may not have realised they were creating a legend. Ursula quickly became the queen of villains — plump, purple, proud, and unapologetically fierce.

Now, Unfortunate gives her the spotlight she deserves in a show that celebrates body positivity, queerness, and self-empowerment. As the press release puts it:

“Ursula is plump, purple and proud. A queer icon with a message for us ‘poor unfortunate souls’: love the skin you’re in, value your voice over your body, and don’t be afraid to be a little bit nasty.”

Production History

Unfortunate first made waves at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019, followed by runs at Birmingham Hippodrome, Underbelly Earls Court, and a sold-out return to Edinburgh in 2022.

In 2023, the show enjoyed an 11-week run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant before embarking on a six-month UK tour in 2024. A Swedish-language production opens in Norrköping in September 2025, proving Ursula’s global appeal.

With rave reviews, glitter-filled staging, and a cult following, the Lowry Christmas season promises to be Unfortunate’s biggest splash yet.

At a Glance

• 🎭 Show: Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch

• 📍 Venue: The Lowry, Salford

• 📅 Dates: 5 Dec 2025 – 11 Jan 2026

• ⭐ Starring: Sam Buttery, Miracle Chance, Allie Dart, Blair Robertson, James Spence

• 🎶 Creators: Robyn Grant (book/lyrics), Daniel Foxx (book/lyrics), Tim Gilvin (music)

• 🎟️ Tickets: Official Website | The Lowry