Chantry Dance presents a re-imagined telling of everyone's favourite mermaid story.

At Princess Aquaria's coming-of-age birthday, she is given permission by the Sea-King to visit the World Above. Swimming to the surface, she is fascinated by the humans that she sees.  A folk band, The Sandcastles, are playing on the beach. As their music reaches Aquaria's ears, she falls in love with the melodies and the dancing and is enthralled by the charismatic leader of the band, the guitarist Calder.

Following a windsurfing accident, Aquaria rescues Calder, and falls deeply in love with him. She makes a grave bargain with the Sea-Witch, trading her voice for a pair of human legs so she can be with Calder. But as we all know, nothing is ever that simple, and Aquaria will have to overcome many struggles to be with her true love, including the jealous rivalry of The Sandcastles' lead singer, being captured by unscrupulous fishermen, and of course the loss of her voice to the Sea-Witch.​

Choreography - Paul Chantry & Rae Piper
Story & Design - Rae Piper
Lighting Design - Claire Childs
Composer - Tim Mountain
Dance Director - Gail Gordon
Ballet Mistress - Elizabeth Haslam
Costumier - Emma Darban

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

"The whole way through the show, I was spellbound. Something which I also find unique about a Chantry performance is the range of emotions they express themselves and create in their audience too."

"Thank you so much to everyone involved in creating this show; I had a wonderful evening. Please come back soon!”

"Honestly, I rate Chantry Dance as the most talented group of dancers I've ever seen and they are definitely my favourite ballet and dance company."

"I would recommend to anyone who is interested in dance to watch a performance by these dancers because there are so many styles and techniques involved, you will never be bored."

“D has already asked for tickets to next year’s production without even knowing what it will be…such is the level of inspiration you instilled in her!”

“Chantry have an incredible way of modernising the ballet style which I found enthralling. You can't take your eyes off the dancers for a moment!"

“My 7 year old daughter and I came to see your show in Halifax. It was her very first trip to see a ballet and she was enthralled throughout, her face beaming with delight. She kept whispering, "It's beautiful" and leaping out of her seat at the exciting parts. The next morning, she was pirouetting around the supermarket and said, 'Thank you for making my dreams come true and taking me to the ballet.' She loves dancing but struggles with anxiety and has now asked to return to her ballet lessons. I just wanted to say a huge thank you - not just for the breath-taking performances and exquisite dancing, but also for bringing a little bit of magic into my daughter's life.”