Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch to return to London in new version

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch will transfer to London early next year.

The new London season marks the fourth version of the musical parody, which gives the legendary Ursula a chance to share her backstory, in a “tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers.”

The new spell follows earlier runs in Edinburgh, Birmingham and London, as well as a six-month UK tour in 2024. The show premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019 before visiting Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio and playing at Underbelly Earls Court, later returning to Edinburgh in 2022.

It completed an 11-week engagement at Southwark Playhouse Elephant in 2023. A Swedish-language staging is currently running in Linköping.

The 2023 iteration, seen on tour and in London, received a favourable review from WhatsOnStage.

The 2026 run includes a new set, costumes, material and characters, and has a running time of two hours including an interval.

The creative team includes book and lyrics by Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx, music by Tim Gilvin, direction by Grant, set and costume design by Jasmine Swan, choreography by Melody Sinclair-Marsh, puppetry and movement direction by Laura Cubitt, orchestration, music production and supervision by Nikki Davison and Joe Davison for Auburn Jam, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, lighting design by Adam King, and puppet design by Mikayla Teodoro and Jasmine Swan. Puppet construction is by Teodoro, casting is by Will Burton, and production management is by James Anderton.

Eliza Beth Stevens is associate director, Allie Dart is creative associate, Chris Cox is theatrical magic consultant, Maisie Carter is intimacy director, Beth Qualter Buncall is costume supervisor and Props by Eve provides props.

The show will play at The Other Palace from 6 February to 5 April 2026. The production begins a Christmas run at the Lowry this Friday, continuing until 11 January. Casting is to be revealed.

The producers are Wildpark Entertainment, Runaway Entertainment, The Vaults, Stoddart Entertainment and Dianne Roberts.