Summer time is the season of sun, sea and sand, and if one can't make it to the beach (even if one can) then let ones kids immerse themselves in this enchanting production based on the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen providing perfect entertainment, as they watch the story of the bubbly little mermaid, Ariel, come to life.

Ariel is played by Alexandra and Isabella Snyman. Alexandra Snyman made her People's Theatre debut in the 2011 production of Beauty and the Beast, and played the role of Miss Pepper in the Gingerbread Man 2. Her sister Isabella Snyman has appeared in numerous People's Theatre productions including The Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland and The Gingerbread Man 2. Alexandra and Isabella alternate in the role of Ariel, who dreams of living in the human world, meeting a prince, falling in love, and living happily ever after.

But the “seaweed isn't always greener in somebody else’s lake”, and if she's serious about making her dreams reality, she'll have to defy her father King Triton (Sipho Hlongwane, who hails from the Eastern Cape and has performed extensively locally and internationally), make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula (Sanelisiwe Jobodwana), and convince Prince Eric (Reynard Slabbert, who recently appeared in Ester the musical, Aladdin, 7de Laan and the movies Wolf Wolf, a 100m Leeloop and Babalaar) that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice that he fell in love with. Prince Eric’s sidekick, Grimsby (Kefilwe Mohlabane, who is a third-year drama student at Tshwane University of Technology) is committed to finding the right girl for Prince Eric.

Audiences will remember Sanelisiwe Jobodwana as Mrs Rabbit, Mrs McGregor and Mrs Tiggywinkle, from the People's production of Peter Rabbit and Other Tales in September and October. The AFDA College graduate (Jobodwana studied a BA in live performance) made her stage debut in 21 Poets and a Poem, which played at the Fringe Theatre in 2011, and returns to give King Triton grey hair as Ursula.

Emmanuelle Girard joins the cast as loveable crab Sebastian. The popular actress, who holds a master's degree in performing arts from Lumière University Lyon 2 in France, has appeared in 12 People's Theatre productions, and in addition to many cabaret performances around the world, lists The King and I, Janice Honeyman's Snow White (Miss Passionella Porky), and Magenta in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Sebastian is joined by his quirky friends who try their best to help Ariel make her dreams come true.

The Little Mermaid is directed by People's Theatre Jill Girard and Keith Smith, who have brought all the classics to life, most recently, Peter Rabbit and Other Tales and The Jungle Book. The skilled Marius Boshoff designed the set and the costumes are made by Linda Wilson. The cast and crew are delighted to welcome the celebrated Heidi Edeling, master vocal coach for SA Idols, to the team.
Another newcomer is Ian Mills, choreographer and performance mentor from the United Kingdom. Mills trained with the National Youth Theatre in London and has worked with Arleen Phillips, Trevor Nunn and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The full list of cast members is Arial: Alexandra and Isabella Snyman; Emmanuelle Girard as Sebastian; Sipho Hlongwane as King Triton and Chef Louis; Sanelisiwe Jobodwana as Ursula; Reynard Slabbert as Prince Eric; Kefilwe Mohlabane as Grimsby and Flotsam; Danira Coleman as Jetsom, Carlotta and Mer Sister; Flounder: Kian DuPreez, Jaydene Marais or Skye Gilmore; Scuttle and Mer Sister: Amy Van der Hooven and Katia Dias. Seahorse: Jude du Preez and Calin Nagoor; Mersister: Raphaela Nicolettis.

The Little Mermaid is showing at the People’s Theatre, Joburg Theatre Complex, from Monday, 5 November to Sunday, 23 December.

Performance times are as follows: school terms Monday to Friday 09:00 and 11:00; Saturday, Government School Holidays and certain Sundays 10:30 and 14:30. Tickets will cost R99.

To book, call Andrew or Lorraine on 011 403 1563/2340 or visit www.joburgtheatre.com. For more information visit www.peoplestheatre.co.za.