If there’s something fishy going on at St Andrews International School Bangkok, it’s probably because of The Little Mermaid Jr., performed by a talented cast of pupils from Years 3–6. As NSTA Representatives, we had the pleasure of attending the final performance on Friday 15th May 2026, and from the moment we entered the black box theatre there was an unmistakable sense of excitement and celebration in the air.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. is an enchanting adaptation of the 2007 Broadway musical and 1989 Disney film, originally based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. It follows the beloved tale of Ariel, a curious and free-spirited mermaid who dreams of life beyond the sea. As she falls in love with the human Prince Eric and makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula, Ariel must navigate a journey of courage, identity, and true love to find her place in the world above the water.
The production opened with a striking tableau of ship and sea, immediately establishing atmosphere and focus. Ensemble members were introduced gradually in layers, each performer bringing a distinct personality and energy to the stage. One particularly effective artistic choice was the portrayal of the sea itself through pupils in flowing blue costumes, giving the ocean movement and presence throughout the performance.
As the curtains opened, GM made an immediate impression as King Triton, seated regally upon his throne with poise and authority. Throughout the performance, GM delivered a nuanced and emotionally rich portrayal, using vocal variation effectively to communicate Triton’s frustration, anger, sadness and regret. Particularly moving was the contrast between Triton’s grief upon discovering Ariel has fled to the human world and the stern commanding tone he adopted when addressing Sebastian and Flounder.
Preen’s Ariel brought warmth and emotional honesty to the role. Her performance of “Part of Your World” was beautifully delivered, with a clear and expressive singing voice that captured Ariel’s longing and curiosity. Her use of rubato and subtle shifts between spoken and sung delivery kept the number emotionally engaging and dramatically fresh.
Alongside her, Pailin brought tremendous energy to the role of Flounder. Full of personality and comedic flair, her reactions and timing consistently drew laughter from the audience. Naiya’s Sebastian provided an excellent contrast, balancing Flounder’s youthful enthusiasm with a more grounded and cautious perspective.
The mersisters were another highlight of the production, demonstrating strong vocal harmony while maintaining distinct personalities and physical characterisation. Their differing approaches created a believable sibling dynamic, from Bokeh’s wonderfully disdainful reactions toward Ariel during “She’s in Love”, to the flamboyant gossiping energy brought by Penne, Mayom and Rela.
Comedy was another major strength of the production. Tan’s Scuttle brought warmth and humour to “Human Stuff”, with playful exchanges between Scuttle and the birds generating plenty of laughter from the audience. Bhuree’s Chef Louis also delivered a highly entertaining performance, using charisma and strong comic timing to great effect during his musical number. Even when one of the cooks lost a shoe during an especially enthusiastic kick sequence, the cast remained fully committed and continued seamlessly.
Luna’s portrayal of Ursula was truly commanding. Elevated on a platform that enhanced her intimidating presence, she demonstrated remarkable control of the stage. Luna relied not on large movements, but on stillness, eye contact, and subtle facial expressions to command attention. She shifted seamlessly from amused manipulation to outright malice, perfectly capturing Ursula’s calculating nature. Her performance of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” steadily built in intensity, combining dramatic vocal delivery with grand gestures that fully embraced the theatricality of the role.
The production’s technical choices greatly enhanced these moments. The subtle use of reverb added a magical quality to Ariel’s voice while giving Ursula’s scenes additional menace and power. Ensemble members manipulating Ursula’s tentacles created an impressive sense of scale and movement, reinforcing her larger-than-life status within the story.
Visually, the production created an imaginative underwater world. Layers of painted coral reef and opalescent fabrics added depth to the set, while thoughtful costume design used pattern, shape and texture to evoke different forms of sea life without relying on overly literal representations. Makeup echoed motifs from the costumes, helping to create a cohesive and colourful underwater setting.
The ensemble as a whole demonstrated excellent focus and clear enjoyment in performance. Scenes consistently remained active and engaging, with performers maintaining character and contributing to the atmosphere even when not central to the action. Particularly enjoyable was Tara’s energetic Turtle, whose enthusiasm was infectious.
“Under the Sea” proved to be one of the evening’s standout moments. With the stage filled by performers, vibrant colours, overlapping harmonies, and energetic choreography, the number captured the celebratory spirit at the heart of the musical. The addition of a disco ball transformed the scene into a joyful underwater party atmosphere.
As the final bows were taken, the sustained applause and enthusiastic reactions throughout the evening reflected just how strongly the performance had resonated with those watching. The Little Mermaid Jr. at St Andrews International School Bangkok was a vibrant and imaginative production filled with colour, humour and heartfelt performances. Through strong ensemble work, thoughtful design, and committed storytelling, the pupils created a theatrical experience that celebrated both the magic of the original story and the joy of live performance itself.