The Little Mermaid - The Watermill Theatre REVIEW

The Little Mermaid title evokes memories of a Disney VHS for most but this retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen original is a little softer than both but still full of heart. 

On her 18th birthday, mermaid Merryn (Annabelle Aquino) longs for life above the waves, despite her father Taran’s (Christopher Staines) worries. A passing fishing boat upends everything, leading her to rescue Cadan (Tom Babbage), a bright young deckhand desperate to escape his harsh livelihood. When her brother later disappears, Merryn strikes a dangerous bargain with Granny Ocean (Sophie Kamal): three days on land in exchange for her voice, or she’ll turn to sea foam.

The production swaps seashell bikinis for woolly hats, but there’s no shortage of glitter among the seafolk. For those of you who have seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in the West End this year, the setting and vibe will be familiar.  

The original songs, steeped in a sea-shanty feel, are charming, and Annabelle Aquino’s vocals are simply angelic. Her chemistry with Tom Babbage is equally delightful. Adding to the magic, the cast juggles multiple instruments live on stage, creating a rich, immersive soundscape. The Cornish accents are hit-and-miss, and some of the mermaid choreography is a little unusual, but the set and lighting transport you from sea to shore seamlessly.

The smugglers, intended as the comedic duo, don’t quite land due to weak scripting and delivery, leaving them somewhat forgettable. Still, Watermill’s signature moral grounding comes through, this time reflecting on the environmental toll of industrial fishing.

A perfect, heart-warming alternative to yet another A Christmas Carol or pantomime, this show makes for ideal festive family viewing.

The Little Mermaid runs (swims?) at the Watermill Theatre until 4th January.