Watermill Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its festive family musical The Little Mermaid, running from Wednesday 26 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026.
This brand-new production is based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, Elgiva Field and Lara Barbier, with a book by Lara Barbier and music and lyrics by Amie Parsons, one half of Cornish folk-duo True Foxes.
Set in a 19th-century Cornish fishing village, The Little Mermaid follows Merryn, daughter of the Sea King, as she ventures above the waves for the first time. When she rescues a young fisherman, Cadan, from a storm, she returns to find her home in turmoil and her brother missing.
Faced with a perilous bargain, Merryn must risk everything to protect those she loves. The production promises a magical underwater world, brought to life with folk and sea shanty-inspired songs.
The cast includes:
- Annabelle Aquino (Les Misérables, Next to Normal) as Merryn
- Tom Babbage (The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Amandaland) as Cadan
- Zach Burns (Reception, Potty The Plant) as Kitto
- Lucinda Freeburn (Hamlet, One Man, Two Guvnors) as Senara
- Sophie Kamal (Run It In Disguise, Abigail) as Granny Bessy and Granny Ocean
- Rowan Macpherson (Maiden Voyage, Babies) as swing
- Jamie Ross (Buddy Holly and the Cricketers, A Christmas Carol) as Onstage MD
- Christopher Staines (The Score, Measure for Measure) as King Taran and Captain Trelawney
The production is directed by Elgiva Field, with set and costume design by April Dalton, lighting design by Emma Chapman, and sound design by Andrea J. Cox. Movement direction is by Petronella Wiehahn, with musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Candida Caldicot. Puppet design is by Naomi Oppenheim.
Stage management includes Cat Pewsey (CSM), Caitlin Ravenscroft (DSM), Natalie Toney (ASM), and Ellie Smallbone (ASM). Casting is by Cydney Beech. Eloise Pennycroft and Lixi Chivas will be integrated sign performers, with Lixi also providing audio description.
Director Elgiva Field said:
“I’m excited to share our fairy-folk tale with audiences this Christmas. We’ve set our production of The Little Mermaid in a 19th century fishing village on a Cornish shore – where magic lies beneath the waves and mystery on land. A lively ensemble band of actor-musicians spin and sing our story; adventure and friendship amidst the tempests and twinkle of the stars.”
A Family Fun Day will take place on 28 October, featuring storytelling, drama games, craft sessions, and a mysterious trail through the Watermill gardens. More info here.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
