Southern Cross Catholic College is bringing a beloved 1980s Disney tale to life with a modern twist, as teenage performers tackle themes of rebellion, adventure, and following dreams in an ambitious school musical production. Little Mermaid Jr. will make a splash at the Townsville Civic Theatre on May 21–22.
A Timeless Tale for Today
The musical follows the courageous young mermaid Ariel as she navigates the sea and the world above to discover who she is and what she truly wants in life. College Head of Arts and director Cat Edwards, a self-proclaimed child of the 80s, said the story remains deeply relevant for young audiences today.
“I love it because it’s about friendship, courage, and following your dreams,” Edwards said. “Ariel wants to fly the nest and be herself. Many themes in Little Mermaid, even though set underwater, resonate with young people.”
Edwards emphasised that the production showcases the school’s talented student cohort across Years 7 to 12. “We have an incredibly talented group. This show is brilliant for showing off many different young performers with iconic characters like Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder, and Ursula. It’s been a joy to watch them flourish.”
Relevance and Rebellion
According to Edwards, the story’s message is timeless. “A young person not listening to their parents and wanting to find their own path is still pertinent. Ariel wants to explore, go on adventures, and look beyond her small world. That should be celebrated.”
The school produces a major musical every two years; the last was Grease in 2024. This year, around 70 students are involved on stage and behind the scenes, including makeup artists and set builders. “It’s been a huge team effort,” Edwards said. “We auditioned in Term 4 last year and cast at year’s end, allowing us to hit the ground running in 2025.”
A Professional Standard
Edwards promised audiences a quality production. “We pride ourselves on creating excellent productions worthy of a ticket price. You’ll see outstanding performances from young people at a professional standard. I hope audiences find joy, fun, laughter, and a few scary bits with the evil sea witch—but mostly pure joy.”
The Townsville Coral Society generously loaned costumes for mermaids and sea creatures, originally used in their 2022 production. The Dressing Room Townsville created Ursula’s dress. “It’s an incredible community effort,” Edwards said.
Behind the Characters
Josnah Jossy, who plays Ariel, said she connects deeply with the character. “Ariel is adventurous, curious, and wants to explore—that embodies who I am. When I’m acting, it’s not really acting. It’s about a teen girl who disobeys her parents to do her own thing. Many people, including me, relate to that.”
Kiona Melick, who plays the villainous Ursula, relishes the mischievous role but admits she doesn’t mirror her character. “She’s very evil and finds tricky ways to break rules. I’m not 100% like her, but I love being mischievous. I also relate to the themes of travel, adventure, and curiosity. Ariel follows her dreams, even if she makes mistakes—like trusting me!”
With a tongue-in-cheek tone, Melick added, “I hope I don’t make kids cry, but that might be what I’m aiming for. We performed for a primary school and they loved it. I hope they love and hate me at the same time.”
Performance Details
Little Mermaid Jr. will be performed at the Townsville Civic Theatre on May 21–22. Tickets are available at townsville.qld.gov.au/ticketshop/events/the-little-mermaid-jr-southern-cross-catholic-college.
