Book, Music & Lyrics: Dennis T. Giacino and Fiely Matias
Director: Daniel Buckroyd
Musical Director: Joanne King
Choreographer: Kayleigh Dettmer
“And soon after they were married… and they lived happily ever after. Well—not exactly!” So begins Disenchanted!, a cheekily subversive musical mash-up that strips fairytale princesses of their pristine Disney veneer. What follows is a lively, song-by-song rebellion against the unrealistic expectations thrust upon women for generations.
The show opens with somewhat generic, and unfortunately unmemorable, numbers about the “princess complex,” but quickly hits its stride in standout musical moments. Standouts include Hua Mulan’s comedic revelation, Pocahontas interrogating her whitewashed history, and Princess Badroulbadour taking aim at corporate animation giants.
Technically and performatively, the production leans towards five-star territory. Sara Perks’ vibrant set and costume design delivers high-budget flair, complete with dramatic costume reveals and inventive prop work featuring singing clam puppets. The cast: Eliza Bowden, Lois Glenister, Jewelle Hutchinson, Rosie Napper, Ashley New, and Roshaan Saulnier, deliver some of the most spectacular, powerhouse vocals at the festival this year.
Where the production stumbles is its tonal identity. Positioned somewhere between family-friendly satire and adult cabaret, it occasionally hesitates to lean fully into its raunchier instincts. Swear words are censored by whistles, yet explicit numbers and profanities still punctuate the show, leaving the target demographic feeling slightly confused.
Despite these pacing and tonal wobbles, Disenchanted! is packed with sharp puns, high energy, and stellar musical theatre chops. Anchored by an anthem of self-acceptance (“Perfect”), it remains a thoroughly entertaining, vocal powerhouse of a night out.
Runs until 30 August 2026 | Image: Pamela Raith
