Have you ever wondered what happened to all those fairytale princesses who ended up marrying Prince Charming? Did they really live happily ever after? According to Dennis T. Giacino and Fiely Matias’s Disenchanted, the answer is a resounding no.
The Lichfield Garrick Theatre’s production presented by The Production Garden at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Disenchanted reimagines some of the world’s most famous princesses as women eager to set the record straight about what happened after the fairy tale ended.
The show has something of a cabaret feel. There is very little in the way of scenery or props, with the production relying instead on the strength of its musical numbers and performances. Structured largely as a series of standalone songs, each princess is given her moment in the spotlight to reveal how reality fell rather short of the promise.
Guiding us through the evening are Snow White (Lois Glenister), Cinderella (Rosie Napper) and Sleeping Beauty (Roshaan Saulnier), who act as comperes while sharing a little of their own backstories before introducing the other princesses.
Take Belle (Eliza Bowden), whose experience of living with a Beast and a castle populated by talking household objects appears to have done little for her mental wellbeing. Or The Little Mermaid, also played by Bowden, who has started questioning whether giving up her tail for Prince Eric was really such a sensible decision after all.
Other familiar faces appear throughout the evening, including The Princess Who Kissed a Frog, Mulan, Pocahontas and Rapunzel, each armed with their own tale of disappointment, frustration and disillusionment. The songs that tell these stories are consistently catchy, packed with memorable melodies and witty lyrics that keep the audience engaged throughout. While the central joke occasionally begins to feel repetitive, the quality of the music does much to maintain the show’s momentum.
The cast are undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of Disenchanted. Giacino’s score demands strong vocal performances and this company rises magnificently to the challenge. Ashley New’s Mulan and Rosie Napper’s Cinderella both deliver standout turns, while Jewelle Hutchinson nearly steals the show entirely during her brief but unforgettable appearance as The Princess Who Kissed a Frog.
Another major strength is Sara Perks’ costume design. Each princess is instantly recognisable, drawing heavily on the iconic animated versions audiences know so well. Look closer, however, and subtle signs of wear and deterioration begin to emerge. Frayed edges, missing details and carefully considered imperfections reflect the reality of these characters’ lives and cleverly reinforce the show’s central theme.
At times, Disenchanted suffers slightly from its format. Running longer than many Fringe offerings, the absence of a traditional narrative means certain ideas are revisited once too often, diminishing the impact of some later numbers. An audience singalong sequence also threatens to tip proceedings into pantomime territory, sitting somewhat uneasily alongside the sharper humour elsewhere.
Yet these are relatively minor reservations in what remains an immensely entertaining evening. The concept is clever, the performances are consistently excellent, and the score is packed with enjoyable songs. Disenchanted delivers what it promises: a funny, spirited and thoroughly enjoyable reappraisal of some familiar fairy tale icons.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
