The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid - All I could recall of Walt Disney's red-headed mermaid flick was an innocent sea-dwelling adolescent and an annoying crab, but this performance expressed a deeper re-adaption of the lesser known, original gothic fairy tale, evoking provocative and sensual themes. Houston Sinclair's rework proved to be more of a reflection on rejected youth rather than every twelve year-old girl's favourite film.  Statements such as “I felt like it” or “I want it” reflected on the corruption of contemporary adolescence, though sometimes it's just that, which makes them happy. Explicit sexual themes were further neutralised by the use of playful colours, bubbles and disco lights, powerfully employed to offer an insight of how contemporary theatre has been able to get away with adultery through the power of Disney.  Overall, The Little Mermaid sways away from the generic dramatic performance with its use of devised contemporary dance and powerful performances all round, creating something far more interesting and dark.