Merlin’s Christmas show opens this week!

The Merlin Theatre’s Christmas show, The Little Mermaid, opens this Friday for a run of 10 shows to kick start this year’s festivities and tickets are already selling out.

After months of preparations the Merlin Theatre Company’s Christmas show, The Little Mermaid, is taking magical underwater shape as the cast and crew prepare to bring their original adventure to the stage this Friday.

Celebrating the theatre’s 40th Birthday year, this  new production, written and directed by Claudia Pepler, takes us to mystical lands above and below the sea as we join Princess Mermaid Tallulah on her watery adventure to find her Prince.

16-year-old Mermaid Tallulah is fascinated with life on land. During her visit to the surface, she falls for a human, the handsome Prince Edgar. Despite warnings from Grand-Mer and her Father King Triton she is determined to be with her new love.

Tallulah leaves the warmth of her family and her happy life under the sea to make a Faustian deal with the Sea Witch to become human. But life on land may not be all Tallulah dreamed of. Will she live happily ever after with her Prince, and what dark secrets are hidden in the murky watery depths?

This magical re-telling features many traditional folk such as the Sea Witch, King Triton, beautiful princesses and mermaids, sea creatures, and a royal family, plus an introduction to new characters such as Finn and Nip & Tuck, the crazy, clumsy crabs.

In true Merlin style this year’s festive production takes us on an enchanting sea adventure with some unexpected twists and mysterious turns, whilst telling a captivating story that will fill families with warmth this winter.

This year’s Christmas show is a true community production; a new writing including original score, lyrics and choreography from members of the Merlin Theatre Company plus a huge ensemble from the town and surrounding areas.

The award-winning Merlin Theatre Company have become known for their beautifully designed sets, striking bespoke costumes, unique visual arts and special effects, as well as stunningly choreographed dance sequences, and this year promises to be another feast for the eyes and ears.

Director Claudia Pepler said of the process, “I have had the most fantastic creative and production teams working on this  production. I  hope  you  can  see  by  the  end  result  what  a collaborative effort this has been.

“Lyrics, music, choreography,  design,  costume  creation,  props, set, special  effects, characterisation;  every  single element is symbiotic, creating I think, and I hope you will agree, a beautiful piece of theatre.”

In true Christmas spirit, the Merlin are thrilled to offer a limited number of discounted tickets to see The Little Mermaid on Wednesday 9th or Thursday 10th December to families whose children are entitled to free school dinners.

“This has been such an exciting production to work on and I’m so proud to be a part of it” continued Claudia, “We want all members of the community to be able to enjoy it and we’re very happy to be able to offer discounted tickets to families who receive free school meals.”

Discounted tickets will cost £3.50 and are available by calling the Box Office 01373 465949. Proof of eligibility must be provided – families are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Standard tickets are available from as little as £5.50 with special offers available on group bookings. Limited tickets have been made available for the schools performances on Friday 11th December at 9.30am and 12.30pm, call the Box Office to check availability.

The Little Mermaid runs from 4th – 12th December. For full details of the production, dates, times and prices visit the Merlin Theatre website at www.merlintheatre.co.uk where you can purchase tickets, or call the Merlin Box Office on 01373 465949