‘The Little Mermaid’ goes under the sea,
onto the stage in Iqaluit

The Aqsarniit Middle School gymnasium is diving under the sea as students prepare for three public performances of The Little Mermaid this weekend.

Chef Louis, played with dramatic flourish by Lukassie MacRury-Noah, earned plenty of laughter and applause from the audience on Thursday at Iqaluit’s Aqsarniit Middle School. (Photo by Daron Letts)

The students have already put on three shows for students from other schools this week.

“I was a little nervous at first,” said Iris Lessard-Michielsen, who plays the lead role of Ariel. 

She overcame her nerves during Thursday’s matinee performance, in front of a packed crowd of visiting students and teachers from other local schools.

“I got into character and showed off how hard I worked and everyone else worked to put on a big show,” she said.

That big show featured dozens of students with elaborate colourful costumes designed by school staff.

The most curious costumes — two eels — were worn by Cynthia Sheaves-Kilabuk and Viivi Morrison-Mike.

Designed by teacher Danielle Jeddore, the eels were adapted from dinosaur hand puppets and long green cloth that snakes around the actors’ shoulders and down the other arm.

“It’s kind of cool because the puppet is like a living cartoon,” Morrison-Mike said.

Other props included six jellyfish fashioned from translucent pale-blue umbrellas and waves made from silk-like textiles.

A chorus of mer-sisters in a rainbow of floor-length sequined dresses sang harmonies that earned peels of applause from Thursday’s packed audience.

Vice-principal Joselyn Morrison and teacher Brittany Rosborough directed the musical.

Public performances will be held at the school at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Tickets are available at the door.