Episode 138 - The Little Mermaid with Steve Boden & Fraser Boyle

Episode 138: The Little Mermaid – Can a New Pantomime Title Become a Classic?In this episode of the Just Imagine Podcast, we dive under the sea to explore one of pantomime’s newer titles – The Little Mermaid.Martin Ballard is joined by Imagine Theatre Joint CEO Steve Boden and actor, writer and director Fraser Boyle, who wrote Imagine’s production of The Little Mermaid for the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy.Originally written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837, The Little Mermaid is a relatively young fairy tale when compared with many of pantomime’s traditional titles. But with the enduring popularity of the story through Disney’s animated and live-action films, could it become a pantomime classic in its own right?Fraser talks about adapting the original story for the pantomime stage, developing new characters and finding the right balance between the familiar story and the comedy, music and traditions audiences expect from panto. Steve explains the production challenges and opportunities of creating an underwater world, from spectacular sets and costumes to flying and special effects.The conversation also explores why Imagine chose The Little Mermaid for the reopening of the Adam Smith Theatre, how audiences responded to a new title, and why innovation and choice are so important to the future of pantomime.Could The Little Mermaid become a regular fixture in the pantomime calendar? And what does it take for a new title to earn its place alongside Cinderella, Aladdin and Jack and the Beanstalk?Listen now for a fascinating look behind the scenes of creating a new pantomime classic.