From the Sea to the Stage: A Look at the Iconic Ursula Costumes in The Little Mermaid Musical

Ursula, the iconic sea witch from Disney's The Little Mermaid, is known for her striking appearance, fierce demeanor, and powerful voice. Her character has been portrayed on stage and in various adaptations of the story, with each production putting their own spin on her costume design. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the iconic Ursula costumes and their evolution over the years.

The Original Ursula Costume

The original Ursula costume was designed by Disney animator and artist, Ruben Aquino. The costume was created for the 1989 animated film, The Little Mermaid, and was animated using traditional hand-drawn techniques. Ursula's design was inspired by the legendary drag queen Divine, who was known for her outrageous costumes and larger-than-life personality.

The original Ursula costume was a combination of purple and black fabrics, with a dramatic purple cape and tentacle-like appendages. The cape was made of a sheer fabric that was covered in glitter and sequins, giving it a shimmery, otherworldly appearance. The tentacle-like appendages were made of a flexible material that allowed them to move and sway as Ursula moved.

One of the most notable features of the original Ursula costume was her makeup. Ursula's face was designed to look like an octopus, with large eyes and a wide mouth filled with sharp teeth. Her eyebrows were thick and arched, and her lips were a deep shade of purple. The makeup was designed to make Ursula look intimidating and powerful, fitting for a sea witch who ruled over the ocean.

Ursula on Stage

The original Ursula costume was adapted for the stage in the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid, which premiered in 2007. The stage version of Ursula's costume was designed by Tony Award-winning costume designer, Tatiana Noginova.

Noginova's version of the Ursula costume was a bit more subdued than the original, with a darker color palette and fewer sequins and glitter. The tentacle-like appendages were still present, but they were less flexible than in the original costume. The cape was also less shimmery, with a more matte appearance.

One of the most notable changes to the Ursula costume in the stage production was her makeup. Ursula's face was still designed to look like an octopus, but her eyes were larger and more exaggerated. Her lips were also more muted, with a deep red color rather than the bright purple of the original. The makeup was designed to be more visible from the audience, allowing Ursula's facial expressions to be seen even from a distance.

Ursula in Live-Action Adaptations

Since the release of the original film, there have been several live-action adaptations of The Little Mermaid. In each adaptation, Ursula's costume has been adapted to fit the new medium and tone of the production.

The first live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid was a 1990 television special produced by Disney. The special was a combination of live-action and puppetry, and Ursula's costume was a mix of practical effects and puppetry. The costume was designed to be more realistic than the animated version, with less glitter and sequins and a more matte appearance. The tentacle-like appendages were also less flexible than in the original costume, but they were still able to move in a lifelike way.

In the 2019 live-action film adaptation of The Little Mermaid, Ursula was portrayed by actress Melissa McCarthy. Her costume was designed by Academy Award-winning costume designer, Colleen Atwood. Atwood's version of the Ursula costume was inspired by the original design, but with a few modern updates.

The tentacle-like appendages were still present, but they were designed to look more like Ursula's actual arms rather than flexible appendages. The cape was also present, but it was shorter and less shimmery than in the original. The color palette was darker than in the original, with a focus on shades of purple and black. Ursula's makeup was also toned down, with a more natural-looking octopus-inspired design.

While some fans were disappointed that the live-action Ursula costume didn't stick closer to the original design, Atwood's version was praised for its modern take on the iconic character.

The Ursula costume has been a fan-favorite since the release of the original film, and it's clear to see why. From the original glittery and sequined version to the more subdued stage and live-action adaptations, the costume has evolved over the years while still retaining its iconic design.

As Ursula continues to be portrayed on stage and screen, it will be interesting to see how future adaptations interpret her costume and makeup. But one thing is for sure: Ursula will always be a fierce and powerful sea witch, with a costume to match.