THE LITTLE MERMAID

Set off the coast of Cornwall in a luminous underwater world, The Little Mermaid is no ordinary tale. Told through original sea shanties and haunting folk melodies, this new adaptation by Patrick Withey reframes Hans Christian Andersen’s story through a distinctly environmental lens.

Audiences will meet Merryn, a spirited mermaid whose 15th birthday marks her right to explore the human world—only to find a shoreline choked with pollution, wonder, and unexpected friendship.

Crafted with puppets made from reclaimed ocean plastics, the production invites children to think deeply about their relationship with the natural world, all while being swept into a joyful, musical adventure. Expect waves of colour, magical creatures, Cornish mythology, and a surprising depth of heart. Inspired by coastal textures, shipwrecks, and seaweed sculptures, the visual design promises a rich, immersive world that both young audiences and their adults will adore.