Trumpets Little Mermaid at Megamall

The 06 September 2005 buyers’ show of Trumpets’ Little Mermaid was held at Megamall Cinema where it is being restaged. An almost bare stage greeted the excited throng of buyers as they hurried to their seats that early morning.

Going onstage before the start of the show, Trumpets head Audie Gemora graciously thanked the buyers for coming to watch the show, while director Jaime del Mundo assured the audience that despite the pared down staging during the buyers’ show, it will ultimately bring Little Mermaid’s message a little bit closer to home.

And true to his word, it did. The absence of the harnesses that created the illusion of great water depth or the grandiose set did not detract from the fact that this edited version of the Little Mermaid is a far cry from its original. Boasting of new and improved costumes as well as a new cast, it was riveting from start to finish of its 1hour and a half run.

Ashley, a VIVA recording artist who was discovered in the mall’s Videoke King booth, is a Philippine Science High School graduate who is now being home schooled through college. Playing Jewel, the Little Mermaid, Ashley was charming as the naïve and childlike mermaid who had to discover the meaning of true love in a tragic yet triumphant manner. (Just in case you’re not familiar with the original non-Disney version story, the Little Mermaid’s prince does not end up in her arms, but in the arms of another, something you may have to explain to your bewildered children who might expect a traditional happy ending.)

Playing Jewel’s object of affection, Prince Christian, George Gabriel imbued his character with a youthful and appealing manner that made the prince a more contemporary figure that the audience could relate to.

Audie is particularly proud of the fact that both his new stars are graduates of the famous Trumpets summer acting and musical theatre workshops—Playshop.

Lending support to this young set of actors are Trumpets veterans Sheila Francisco, who played a deliciously wicked Crustacea, and June Vee, as he is fondly called, who essayed the comic Calamari with great energy and engaging warmth.

A word of advice to Little Mermaids’ future audiences, with the way it’s staged, it would be better to buy tickets as far away as possible, because there are two ramps leading up to the stage, and your sight lines might be impaired. However, if you’re the kind of person who loves to be in the thick of the action, as in the actors run down the aisles and through the rows in one particular chase scene, then orchestra seats are definitely a must buy for you.

To buy shows or inquire about tickets, please call Trumpets at 635.4478, 631.7252 or 633.4387. Or email Trumpets at trumpets@compass.com.ph

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