Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 22 October 2022
Reviewed by Gemma Gibson
5*****
Northern Ballet’s latest masterpiece takes you under the sea, into the magical world of The Little Mermaid.
Choreographed by David Nixon CBE, and composed by Sally Beamish OBE, this wonderful ballet explores a story of love, sacrifice and heartbreak, all through the wonders of dance.
Marilla, the little mermaid, exchanges her life in the ocean for a chance to live on land and find Prince Adair, enamoured after seeing his picture in a locket.
Her wish is granted by Lyr, lord of the sea, but it comes at a price. The price of losing her angelic voice that Adair was drawn to in the first place.
Unlike the Disney adaptation that everyone knows and loves, this traditional tale is a lot more dark. And yet the ballet was able to portray moments of romance, delight, anger and pain beautifully.
Despite a not so happy ending, this ballet was just breathtaking. I can’t say it enough. Elegant, easy-to-follow choreography, incredible characterisation, all with the challenge of needing to look under water.
This was enhanced by a wonderful live orchestra, helping us fully immerse ourselves within a mermaid’s world, as well as amplifying every single emotion felt in the story.
Of course it wasn’t all doom and gloom. An explosive scene of merry couples during a celebration of the summer’s catch was pure joy to watch. And you couldn’t help but smile when Miralla’s best friend Dillion the Seahorse galloped on to the stage. Or when Marilla danced with Prince Adair for the first time.
I sometimes find it hard to interpret ballet but Northern Ballet made it easy. Plus, the whole production was just so effortless, it was easy to forget how challenging and technically demanding ballet actually is.
The pointe work, the lifts, the kicks, the floorwork, all while embodying mermaids and sea creatures, was just perfection to watch. The dance had a very contemporary feel too, which, combined with clever use of staging and lights, catapulted this ballet into the 21st century.
Whether a dance lover or not, this production is a must-see.