The Little Mermaid
Sarah Gaffney-Lang, Families Editor
Join Waterside Arts in September to experience Chantry Dance’s ethereal ballet production of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story The Little Mermaid.
This timeless tale charts the coming-of-age journey of Princess Aquaria as she is given permission by the Sea-King to visit the ‘World Above’ for her birthday. On discovering what lies beyond the sea’s surface, she is fascinated by the human beings.
A folk band, named The Sandcastles, is playing on the beach. As she takes in their music she falls in love with the melodies and the dancing. She is also enthralled by the charismatic guitarist Calder who is a ‘a real prince of music’. Sadly though, she soon has to return to the Underwater Kingdom.
Featuring stunning choreography, incredible costumes, and breathtaking acrobatics a trip to witness the beauty of The Little Mermaid is truly unmissable.
Aquaria and Calder’s fates are, however, intertwined. After being hurt in a windsurfing accident, Aquaria goes to Calder’s rescue, falls in love and trades her voice for a pair of human legs.
Chantry Dance formed in 2012 and since then, they’ve toured a series of ground-breaking shows. Shortly after their inception they relocated from London to Grantham with the purpose of engaging with the local community. Now, they run a highly revered vocational dance school alongside producing and touring dance shows. The founders are passionate advocates for the transformative power of dance as an art form – suggesting that ‘it can make you laugh, it can make you cry, it can give you hope and can even change lives.’
Taking a much-loved tale and revolutionising the format is no mean feat and yet Chantry Dance have successfully done just that. At its heart, The Little Mermaid is a coming-of-age tale about making sacrifices for love and this production is a wonderful introduction to the beauty of ballet for little ones – and is sure to spark their interest whether they are budding ballerinas or not.
The founders are passionate advocates for the transformative power of dance as an art form.
The production features an internationally renowned cast of incredible dancers, including Rae Piper and Paul Chantry as Aquaria and Calder (the pair previously choreographed David Walliams’ Olivier-nominated West End hit shows Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy) and Shannon Parker as the Sea-Witch (of the San Francisco Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre and Britain’s Got Talent).
While you’re soaking up the atmosphere of Waterside Art’s stalls, make the most of your trip and enjoy refreshments at their Sup Bar & Coffee House which serves a wide selection of beers, spirits, wines, coffees, and teas. And it wouldn’t be a trip to the theatre without a mandatory tub of ice cream during the interval, would it?
Featuring stunning choreography, incredible costumes, and breathtaking acrobatics a trip to witness the beauty of The Little Mermaid is truly unmissable.
