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Musical parody Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch is heading back to London next year.

Unfortunate will play The Other Palace Theatre from 6 February to 5 April 2026.

Ahead of London, the show opens this Friday, 5 December 2025, at the Lowry in Manchester for a Christmas season.

Unfortunate boasts a book and lyrics by Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx, with music by award-winning composer Tim Gilvin.

Directed by Robyn Grant, casting for the London run is to be announced.

The Manchester show stars Sam Buttery (Kaos) as Ursula, Miracle Chance (Fangirls) as Ariel, Allie Dart (The Comedy About Spies) as Sebastian, Blair Robertson (Witness for the Prosecution) as King Triton, and James Spence as Prince Eric.

The production promises to be new and improved (and shorter!), following previous runs in Edinburgh, Birmingham and London, including a brand-new set and costumes, new jokes, and new characters.

When Disney released The Little Mermaid in 1989, they had no idea they were giving birth to an icon. Ursula the Sea Witch quickly took her place as the queen of Disney villains: a pop culture legend and a feminist badass.

Cruella told her side, and Maleficent’s had her moment… Now the legendary sea witch is ready to spill in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers – a laugh-a-minute dive through Ursula’s backstory filled with a filthy pop soundtrack, much-loved characters as you’ve never seen them before and enough (eco-friendly) glitter to keep you sparkling all the way home.

Video: Unfortunate trailer

The wider creative team for Unfortunate includes set and costume design by Jasmine Swan, choreography by Melody Sinclair-Marsh, puppetry and movement direction by Laura Cubitt, orchestration, music production, and music supervision by Nikki Davison & Joe Davison for Auburn Jam, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, lighting design by Adam King, puppet design by Mikayla Teodoro & Jasmine Swan, puppet co-designer and maker Mikayla Teodoro, casting direction by Will Burton CDG, production management by James Anderton and associate direction by Eliza Beth Stevens. The creative associate is Allie Dart, theatrical magic consultant is Chris Cox, intimacy director is Maisie Carter, costume supervisor is Beth Qualter Buncall and props are by Props by Eve.

Unfortunate is produced by Wildpark Entertainment (Lovestuck), Runaway Entertainment (The Hunger Games on Stage), The Vaults (Stranger Sings), Stoddart Entertainment (Heathers The Musical Australia) and Dianne Roberts (Girl From The North Country).

Unfortunate is playing at The Other Palace from 6 February to 5 April 2026.

More about tickets to Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch

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Main photo: Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch. Photo via PR

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