The Bristol Old Vic’s Christmas show has rightly earned itself pride of place in the theatre diary –
circled on the calendar in silver pen and decorated with shiny stars. In recent
years, we’ve seen the magnificent Swallows and Amazon, the mind-blowing Peter
Pan, and the far-from-festive but resolutely brilliant Coram Boy. This year,
Hans Christian Anderson’s much-loved tale The Little Mermaid got the Bristol Old
Vic treatment.
The title role is
filled by Katie Moore – who is not only a damn fine actor, but also an
incredible singer and fabulous ballerina. As the Little Mermaid,
we followed Katie in her underwater world where she lived with her father
(played by Old Vic favourite Tristan Sturrock) and sisters… frustrated by the
confines of her subterranean life and longing to explore the world up there
where the ‘hoo muns’ live.
However, the wicked
Sea Witch (a heart-warmingly brilliant Beverly Rudd, in an example of perfect
casting) has a firm hold on the underwater world and insists all her citizens
stay below the surface, avoid all interactions with the legged ones, and keep
singing to ensure the constantly rolling tides.
Needless to say, our
adventurous heroine doesn’t follow the rules… and on a trip to the surface, she
can’t stop herself from saving the life of a handsome prince (delightfully
played by Billy Howle) who is thrown overboard in a storm orchestrated by the
Sea Witch. The prince is under a curse where he simply must marry before his
looming 18th birthday… and this is where our above and below the
waves stories combine.
Under Simon Godwin’s
direction, Joel Horwood’s adaptation of The Little Mermaid is a magical,
enchanting and captivating Christmas adventure for Bristolians of every age.
The set design throughout is inspired… and the use of a curving metal frame to
suggest the rolling waves works extremely well, as does the porthole frame to
the whole stage.
As the Sea Witch,
Beverly Rudd excels and I found myself missing her when she wasn’t on stage.
And her sidekicks (a wise-cracking crab and eel dressed in knitted chainmail)
are inspired – the armour-wearing crab quite possibly stole the entire show and
had me clapping my claws in child-like glee!
The Little Mermaid is
performed at Bristol Old Vic until January 18. Click here for more informationand to book tickets.
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