Reviews: Once Upon a Mattress at South Lakes HS
Written by Sophia Cristiano of Langley High School
Stories are not always as they seem. The princess isn't always graceful. The prince isn't always brave. Some stories, rather, beg to be cracked open and read, for inside their pages does an enchanting story still hide. With fearless physical comedy, dynamic character work, and razor-sharp ensemble precision, South Lakes High School's production of Once Upon A Mattress delivered a charming and quirky take on a fairytale classic .
First staged Off-Broadway in 1959 with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller, Once Upon a Mattress reimagines Hans Christian Andersen's "The Princess and the Pea". Indeed, in this adaptation, Queen Aggravain has decreed that no one in the kingdom may marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, does. The Tyrant Queen specifically sabotages every attempt to find him a bride, but when the loud, unrefined Princess Winnifred arrives to take the queen's impossible test, chaos seems to find every fairy tale hiding in the chapters of this enrapturing story.
South Lakes High School's transportative retelling of a fairytale classic was brought to life with the help of the incredibly versatile and skillful accompaniment of their orchestra. During large ensemble numbers like "The Swamps of Home," the orchestra seamlessly shifted from commanding brass notes to lyrical undercurrents, only amplying, not only the emotional complexity of each character, but the mystical ambiance of the fairytale.
Princess Winnifred was brought to life by Clara Neag, portraying the offbeat princess with staggering physical commitment and emotional depth. From her first entrance, soaking wet from her dip in the moat, Neag commanded the stage with a defiant presence, supplemented by her laser-sharp comedic timing. Neag's unrivaled commitment to bringing the eccentric princess out of the pages of her story book was never clearer than in her rendition of "Shy," specifically showcasing her powerful voice shining through the melody with raw, unrefined power while undertoning Winnifred's deep need to belong.
Liam Birch as Sir Harry was also a commanding success. Indeed, Birch delivered a performance built on swagger and tightly wound pride, dawning a chin high posture with every step taken like a true knight in a storybook. In scenes of vulnerability, Birch's underlying vulnerability was beautifully and hilariously supplemented by the lovely Lady Larkin, portrayed by Itsuko Scoville. Scoville's layered portrayal of Larkin's quiet urgency and heartbreaking emotion, with her restless grace and expert blend of powerful tone and compelling passion in "In A Little While", proved to be the production's emotional anchor.
Visually, the show was equally as impressive. The set (Grace Gibbens, Henry Collins, Set Construction Crew), as if ripped from the pages of a classic storybook, embraced theatricality, with sweeping staircases, fantastical moving set pieces, and the infamous towering bed all coming together to provide the perfect backdrop to a real-life fairytale. The hair and makeup (Isabelle Philippe, Jade Mattei) underscored character at every turn and expertly highlighted the unique quirks of every dynamic character, from bright pink wigs to stunning floral headpieces.
South Lakes High School's production of Once Upon a Mattress didn't simply retell a storybook classic, it exuberantly brought confidence and joyous heart in revealing the beauty within this unexpected heroine's story, proving that even the most unconventional of characters carry the most enchanting truths, just daring to be read.
Written by Mimi Wise of Our Lady of Good Counsel
Fairy tales are a beloved collection of stories that are told to just about everyone as a child, though they may vary in details. For example, at South Lakes High School, the tale, "The Princess and the Pea," takes on a fun, musical form in their production of Once Upon A Mattress.
Originally opening Off-Broadway in 1959, Once Upon A Mattress is a relatively older musical. The book was written by James Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller as an adaptation of "The Princess and the Pea," told by Hans Christian Anderson in 1835, with music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Marshall Barer. However, South Lakes proves it to be a timeless tale, keeping it entertaining in their 2025 production.
As Princess Winnifred, Clara Neag brought electric energy to the stage that livened every scene. Neag's demeanor and physicality perfectly captured Winnifred's quirkiness. In Neag's introduction with the song "Shy," both wonderful vocals and spirited attitude immediately drew the audience to Neag's character. In addition, Neag's chemistry with Justin Burnett as Prince Dauntless greatly enhanced the meaning within the show. Overall, Neag added to both the humor and narrative of the musical with her enthusiastic stage presence.
Speaking of chemistry, a stand-out pair in the show was Itsuko Scoville and Liam Birch, who played lovers Lady Larken and Sir Harry. With entertaining dynamics between their characters, Scoville and Birch were able to turn troublesome circumstances into funny and endearing moments. The pair also was able to use physicality to display their chemistry, with Birch carrying Scoville off the stage in good moments and stomping off while they were quarreling. During their two duets, "In a Little While" and "Yesterday I Loved You," both Scoville and Birch demonstrated strong singing voices that added to the romance of the music, especially Scoville displaying captivating ability.
The castle created by the Mattress Set Construction and Painting Crews was both functional and visually appealing. With many staircases, entrances, and platforms, the set provided the opportunity for dynamic blocking of the show. It also had places to easily store different moving set pieces and props, making it easier for the Mattress Run Crew to have quick and efficient transitions. Along with this functionality, the aesthetic achieved by the set achieved a medieval atmosphere for the show. As a highlight, the stone blocks stood out to look very realistic.
Adding more personality and whimsy to the medieval atmosphere created by the set, the Mattress Costume Crew created colorful costumes that brought out the fairytale aspect of the show. With 203 total costume pieces, the crew worked to establish a cohesive, vibrant design for the entire cast.
Through phenomenal production elements and talented performers, South Lakes High School presented an entertaining and heartwarming production of Once Upon A Mattress.