THE LITTLE MERMAID

MAGICAL WATER-THEATRE


The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid Tour

Galway Arts Festival 2005
13th-14th July 2005

Taipei Children's Festival 2005, Taiwan
26th July - 7th August 2005

Hans Christian Andersen Bicentenary Anniversary Festival, Denmark
23rd August - 6th September 2005

The Little Mermaid Reviews

"Such a charming, clever show...scarcely a ripple out of place."

"Its a visual delight and a highly original way of introducing young children to theatre."

Belfast Telegraph, 27th May 2005

"The award-winning theatre company has gone from strength to strength...showcasing the very best of Ulster inventiveness and talent."

"...a huge hit."

"Flap your fins for Big Telly and take time to fall in love with this mermaids tale; you may never wish to re-surface."

News Letter, 27th May 2005

"...a talented group of actors who could have been mistaken for a synchronised diving team."

Irish News, 27th May 2005

"...there is a real sense of confidence and purpose about this daringly conceived production."

"...this ambitious, site-specific piece speaks a universal language."

Irish Times, 27th May 2005

"...its universal language and vivid presentation will cross all cultural and language barriers."

"It really is a complete experience, bringing together spectacular set design, lighting and visual effects, expressive acting, clever direction and a dramatic score."

"Young and old were thrilled by a performance that was far less about Disney kitsch than traditional, magical storytelling."

Sunday Life, 29th May 2005

Award-winning Big Telly Theatre Company presents Hans Christian Andersens original well-loved fairytale The Little Mermaid in swimming pools worldwide.

Spectacle, magical lighting, visual effects, and music re-tells the heart-warming story of The Little Mermaids first visit to the surface in this most amazing theatre performance in water. Fusing together the creativity and energy of both the arts and sport this spectacle surprises, stimulates and ignites the imaginations of young and old alike. On her first visit to the surface the Little Mermaid falls in love with a Prince, rescues him from a shipwreck and decides to strike a bargain with the Sea Witch in order to become mortal. The Sea Witch gives her human legs in return for her beautiful voice but the Mermaid can't adapt to life on land and rejection from the Prince leaves her lost, lonely and estranged from the world below the ocean. Expert theatrical lighting, video projection, and water screens takes audience on a roller coaster ride through a ferocious storm and a perilous shipwreck, encountering a rancorous sea witch and guests of honour at the mermaids' ball.

The Little Mermaid is the most visually spectacular theatre production to be attempted in water and will reflect Big Tellys originality, for which it has become renowned. Years of development and months of preparation has seen the incredible challenge of producing a theatre performance in water become a reality. The impressive cast and a wonderfully imaginative set combined with mystical lighting, beautifully decorative specially designed costumes for the water, carnival style masks and dancing starfish puppets, add to the spectacular effects achieved both above and below the water to create a magnificently unique performance.

Zoe Seaton, Artistic Director and Co-founder of Big Telly Theatre Company said, "I have been lucky enough to direct several site-specific productions in England over the last ten years. Inspiration for The Little Mermaid probably began when working with floating candlelit barges and magical creatures that walked on water." Zoe and Paul Boyd, creators of the production, are delighted to see the vision for the Little Mermaid project becoming a reality. "We are extremely excited about the prospects for The Little Mermaid and hope that children and the young at heart, from every walk of life, will enjoy this unique adaptation of the famous story. Developing the performances in swimming pools is a challenge, but with valuable support from synchronised swimming experts, we are able to create a production with a completely new approach," Zoe said.

The production is an opportunity to broaden public perception about the relationship between arts and leisure and to promote the creative potential of water. Big Telly coordinated a Water Workshops Programme for primary and secondary school pupils and Special Olympics Ireland members to maximize the potential of the project. (Please see Workshop Programmes page). Big Telly aims to produce truly innovative theatre that is accessible to a broad range of audiences. The company believes that the process of making innovative work should itself be made accessible, and constantly seeks opportunities for participation while a piece is actually being developed.

The Little Mermaid Northern Ireland Tour

Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, Lisburn, Northern Ireland
World Premiere Tuesday 24 - Monday 30 May 2005

Coleraine Leisure Centre, Coleraine, Northern Ireland
Thursday 2 - Saturday 4 June 2005

Omagh Leisure Centre, Omagh, Northern Ireland
Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 June 2005