Pop on your sea boots, darlings, because this Christmas the Watermill Theatre is diving headfirst beneath the waves — and I’ve already had a sneaky peek into my satchel to see who’s swimming about down there.
From 26 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, Newbury’s gorgeous Watermill is serving up The Little Mermaid, but not as you know it. This is a brand-new festive musical, written by Lara Barbier with songs by Amie Parsons (one half of Cornish folk duo True Foxes). Expect sea shanties, Cornish myths, and a storm or two along the way.
So, who’s who in this undersea adventure?
– Annabelle Aquino takes the plunge as Merryn, the mermaid who dreams of life above the surface.
– Tom Babbage is Cadan, the fisherman who catches more than fish when Merryn saves him from a storm.
– Zach Burns plays Kitto, Lucinda Freeburn doubles up as Senara, Sophie Kamal brings Granny Bessy (and Granny Ocean!) to life, and Christopher Staines rules both waves and deck as King Taran and Captain Trelawney.
– There’s even onstage music-making from Jamie Ross, because what’s a sea tale without a rousing tune?
Director Elgiva Field is anchoring the whole thing in a 19th-century Cornish fishing village, where magic ripples under the waves and mystery lurks on land. “Adventure and friendship amidst the tempests and twinkle of the stars,” she promises. Sounds like just the tonic for a frosty December night.
And if that’s not enough, the Watermill is opening its doors for a Family Fun Day on 28 October — storytelling, drama games, crafts, and a trail through the gardens. Yes, please!
The Watermill itself is a gem — only 200 seats, but it regularly sends shows to the West End and across the globe. Fresh from its award-winning Lord of the Rings and a trophy naming it ‘Theatre of the Year’ (joint with the National Theatre, no less!), this little powerhouse is showing no signs of slowing down.
So grab your fins, warm up those vocal cords for a sea shanty, and don’t miss out — The Little Mermaid is set to be the catch of the season.
Tickets and info: watermill.org.uk