Bristol Old Vic’s Little Mermaid-inspired summer project highlights ocean conservation

A South African summer project inspired by The Little Mermaid puts ocean sustainability at the forefront.

This year’s Little Mermaid Christmas show addresses the themes of the environment and coral reef conservation. Millions of people and species depend on coral reefs for their survival, but climate change is putting that survival at risk.

The free craft sessions will be a space to discuss the environment while working together – discussing and thinking about what we can do to limit the damage to the environment.

Ruby Pugh, costume and set designer for The Little Mermaid, will lead sessions on how to use scraps and recycled materials to create something new. The finished product will be part of the Christmas decorations in the theatre foyer.

Ruby explained today: “This production of The Little Mermaid is about environmental justice, community and collaboration. It felt important to me that these themes were not limited to the story, but also carried throughout the process of creating the show.

The Bristol Old Vic is exploring ways to make design processes more environmentally friendly and what choices we can make as a creative team to achieve this. While researching the show, I learned about coral reefs and their importance to the underwater ecosystem. There are many ways in which the choices we make as individuals can affect the destruction of these precious natural environments (some of them as simple as buying a different sunscreen).

“This felt like the perfect time to invite our audience to join the conversation and collaborate to explore how we will design a coral reef setting for the show while using environmentally friendly practices. We want to experiment and learn together, hoping to build a network and community of like-minded, passionate and creative people!”

All ages and abilities are welcome. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Little Mermaid is written by Sonali Bhattacharyya and directed by Miranda Cromwell.

The Little Mermaid may be different from other sea creatures, but they are her family and these waters are her home. So when the sea starts to warm, the seaweed fades and the coral disappears, she realizes she has to take action. The mermaid vows to protect their home and it seems a caring young man who is trying to restore the coral reef is just the person to help her.

But how far will she go to find answers on land? Can the Sea Witch really be trusted to help her? And what oily monsters lurk in the depths?

Director Miranda Cromwell explains why it is important for her to tell this story: “The Little Mermaid is a story I have always loved and dreamed of directing since working at the Bristol Old Vic over 10 years ago. I am delighted to be returning, alongside a brilliant creative team, and to make the Little Mermaid the heroine of her own story, giving her voice back in this magical reinterpretation.”

“I felt like if the Little Mermaid were here today, she would want to save the ocean and the planet – our home – from climate change and she would ask for our help. In this version, she does just that, and we can join her and her friends on an epic adventure full of danger, fun and love.”

Dive into a magical underwater kingdom this Christmas and discover that no one is too small to make a big difference. The show runs at the Bristol Old Vic from 5 December 2024 to 11 January 2025

Bristol Old Vic Mission Team
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP ON CORAL REEFS

Sat 27 Jul 11am
Sat Aug 3, 11am
Sat 10 Aug, 11am
Sat 17 Aug, 11am

FREE WORKSHOP (reservation required)
Duration: 2h
Venue: Coopers’ Hall, Bristol Old Vic
Suitable for all ages (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult)
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/collaborative-coral-reef-making

ABOUT BRISTOL OLD VIC

The Bristol Old Vic is the UK’s oldest continuously operating theatre, having welcomed millions of people through its doors since it opened almost 260 years ago.

Led by Executive Director Charlotte Geeves and Artistic Director NANCY MEDINA, the organisation is committed to serving as a platform and creating opportunities for the multitude of stories that Bristol and the UK have to offer.

From its completely redeveloped building in the Old Town, Bristol Old Vic delivers a year-round programme of original and inspiring new work, one of the largest learning and engagement programmes in British theatre and one of the UK’s leading artistic development programmes. And through Bristol Old Vic On Screen, audiences around the world have been able to see its productions live or on-demand.

“We will create a theatre for our entire community. Not a passive place, but a place of activism. Not one voice, but many. We will ask questions about ourselves and Bristol. We invite you to come and help us make this building a place of possibilities.” NANCY MEDINA. Artistic Director.

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