Preview: The Little Mermaid at Newcastle Theatre Royal

DIVE DEEP THIS AUTUMN WITH THE ULTIMATE UNDERSEA FANTASY

Northern Ballet's The Little Mermaid

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 31^st October – Saturday 4^th November 2017

Hans Christian Andersen’s mesmerising fairy tale The Little Mermaid is brought to life in a shimmering new production by Northern Ballet, visiting Newcastle Theatre Royal this Autumn. Prepare to be spellbound…

Abigail Prudames as Marilla in The Little Mermaid.

Photo Emma Kauldhar

A heart wrenching story of love, sacrifice and the search for immortality The Little Mermaid is a powerful tale which will stir the senses.  Dwelling in her underwater kingdom, the mermaid longs for a life on the shore and the love of a mortal prince. She defies advice and uses black magic to irreversibly take on a mortal form, but the sacrifices are great and the love and happiness she seeks on land may yet be beyond her reach….

Northern Ballet’s world première production of Andersen’s classic fable

is choreographed and directed by Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director David Nixon OBE whose most recent creations for the Company include hits Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, which played the Theatre Royal in 2014 and ’16 respectively.

                                                                                                                   

The Little Mermaid.

Photo Emma Kauldhar

Although darker and truer to tradition than the well-known Disney version, the show is perfect for families and young audiences who enjoy fairy tales.  A loveable seahorse friend creates moments of lightness and the super-sized fish puppets on Kimie Nakano’s silvery shimmering set immerse audiences in a mystical underwater world. David Nixon’s opulent costumes gleam, sparkle and wink with gemstones, sequins and multi-coloured skirts, while Tim Mitchell’s atmospheric lighting highlights dancers’ faces adorned with iridescent glitter.

The production also features an original score by Sally Beamish who lives in Scotland and has been heavily inspired by the Scottish landscape and folk culture (and its links to Scandinavia) as well as the ancient legend of the Selkie. 

David Nixon OBE, Artistic Director at Northern Ballet, said: ‘The Little Mermaid is an enchanting story and the fantastical underwater world of the mermaids evokes such beautiful imagery that it will be an excellent addition to our repertoire. So many people have grown up with this classic tale and so I am looking forward to reintroducing audiences to the world beyond the waves.’

The Little Mermaid is the last of an unprecedented three full-length World Premières held by Northern Ballet in 2017 following the World Premières of Casanova in March 2017 and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in May 2017.

Creatives:

Story Hans Christian Andersen

Choreography, Direction, Scenario & Costume Design David Nixon OBE

Music Sally Beamish

Set Design Kimie Nakano

Lighting Design Tim Mitchell

Tickets:

The Little Mermaid is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tues 31 October until Sat 4 November 2017, playing evenings at 7.30pm, matinees on Thu 2pm and Sat 2.30pm. Tickets from £14.50.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.