Newcastle-under-Lyme’s New Vic is to present a new show as part of its circus-theatre programme of work, an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid.
The theatre’s artistic director Theresa Heskins and Vicki Dela Amedume, artistic director of contemporary circus company Upswing, will collaborate on their first Christmas production. Previously they worked together on adaptations in 2024 of Angela Carter’s The Company of Wolves and Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and The Pea, which transferred to the New Victory Theatre on Broadway.
Heskins said, “there’s such rich visual language in the story of The Little Mermaid, and utilising circus opens up a whole host of possibilities for how we create this undersea world. Our audience members have been captivated by the way we combine contemporary circus and storytelling and this is a perfect opportunity to bring these elements together into our biggest family show of the year, for the many people who have been coming to us, sometimes for decades, and also for those families who may be bringing young children for their first theatre experience.”
Amedume added, “Theresa and I are looking forward to blending circus and theatre to reimagine this classic tale in a bold, dynamic way. Newcastle-under-Lyme, the birthplace of modern circus, is the perfect place to celebrate the incredible artistry and physical storytelling that circus brings to the stage.”
The Little Mermaid will run from Friday 14 November until Saturday 24 January 2026.