Q&A: Sam Buttery on starring as Ursula in UNFORTUNATE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF URSULA THE SEA WITCH
Photo credit: Mark Senior
It's time to gather up your merfriends for a wild night out: following multiple sold-out runs across the UK and Edinburgh Fringe, the musical parody Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch arrives in London this February with a newly reworked version. We had a quick catch up with Sam Buttery about how it feels to step into the tentacles of the iconic Disney villain.
How does Unfortunate reclaim Ursula?
She is empowered and celebrated for being the things that society ridicules. She isn’t a villain. She’s sexy, funny and inspiring.
What should audiences expect from the experience?
Fun and filth with a lot of heart. Oh and camp!
What lessons can Ursula share with us?
Embrace all parts of yourself. When you own yourself in totality, you are powerful.
How do you prepare for the show and get into character?
I do breath work like Wim Hof and I listen to old Broadway shows and divas like Liza Minelli.
What’s your favourite moment to perform?
I love when Ursula shows her vulnerability in the confrontation at sea in Act Two.
Any other villains or Disney characters whose story you’d like to see reimagined?
Hades from Hercules could be cool!