Review: Villains Unite the Night is a different kind of Disney stage show
Villains Unite the Night is not the typical toe-tapping show performed by popular Disney characters on the Cinderella Castle stage at the Magic Kingdom Park.
This 20-minute show performed three times a night during the specially-ticketed Disney Villains After Hours is a nice diversion from the normal musical-theater we see on stage. Here, the focus is on sword, axe and fire dancing.
The premise of the show focuses on universe domination. Particularly, on the witty Hades and this prophecy, “When the five planets align as is their mission, everything you wish will come to fruition. The five shall come together and hear thy curse, and evermore, you shall rule the universe.”
Of course, there are four other villains – Jafar, Maleficent, The Evil Queen and Dr. Facilier – who also believe the prophecy pertains to them and each of them shall rule the universe
Hades’ headaches increase with each visit he receives from a villain. On each appearance, the villain shows off how powerful they are with demonstrations from their henchmen.
From Jafar’s followers’ swordplay to the Evil Queen’s Huntsman showing off his
Throughout the performance, Hades fires off jokes and insults as if he were playing a set at a comedy club. Meg, his reluctant minion, helps keep the show and the villains moving along.
Cinderella Castle itself is a showcase as the projections on the castle change dramatically as each villain appears. (Photos below)
This is another show in which the actors are peforming their lines live and are not taped. This was apparent when Hades’ body microphone gave out in the early part of the show and he needed to rely on a handheld microphone for the remainder of the performance.
As for the ending, you can probably figure out from the title, that the prophecy is not about uniting the five planets, but the five villains.
And as Hades is known to say: “We dance, we kiss, we schmooze, we carry on, we go home happy.”
