The feel-good stage adaptation of Tim Baker’s gorgeous children’s book follows the tale of a young surfer on a magical underwater journey. Captured by a mermaid, the boy is led to the depths of the ocean to meet her marine friends – the whales.
Written by renowned Australian surf writer Tim Baker, and featuring stunning images by Ted Grambeau, this fun, elevating show will inspire young audiences to see themselves as empowered advocates for marine conservation. Kids of all ages will recognise how their actions impact the ocean, and what they can do to inspire change in others.
- Venue Format
- Theatre, Hall, Black Box Venue
- Technical Rating
- Touring Party
- 3
The Surfers and the Mermaid is a co-production between Merrigong Theatre Company and Bleach Festival.
Merrigong Theatre Company manages one of Australia's busiest, most dynamic regional venues – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC) in Wollongong. Since 2005, under Artistic Director Simon Hinton, Merrigong has developed into a vibrant theatre company in its own right – producing, presenting and touring exciting contemporary theatre and supporting the development of a wide range of theatre-makers. Merrigong presents a diverse annual season of theatre, dance and children’s programming, including work sourced from Australia’s finest performing arts companies, self-produced work, acclaimed international productions, and innovative contemporary work from new companies.
Bleach is the Gold Coast Festival, taking place annually across the City in April. The program is one of Australia’s leading and most exciting site-specific contemporary arts programs. Quintessentially Gold Coast, Bleach celebrates the city’s most dynamic and adventurous artists, welcomes renowned Australian and international collaborators and engages a broad audience through a range of events. Utilising the Gold Coast’s world-famous natural landscape as unconventional venues, Bleach* aims to deliver incredible arts and cultural experiences that challenge expectations, change perceptions and provide a unique and authentic sense of place, inspiring both locals and visitors alike.
- Company Website
- merrigong.com.au
Unique Selling Point
The Surfer and the Mermaid aims to inspire young audiences to see themselves as empowered advocates for marine conservation, recognising the ways their actions impact the ocean environment, and what they can do to inspire change in others. It encourages us to see ourselves as part of an inter-connected and inter-dependent web of life, as one species among many that make up the natural world. It uses the microcosm of surfing to equate how we treat each other with how we treat our surroundings, and that treating the ocean with respect also involves treating each other with respect.
Marketing Materials
The production comes complete with copy, print material, digital assets, images, promo footage and education resources aim at primary school aged children. The children's book is also available for sale, along with the attendance and workshops by writer Tim Baker.
Community Engagement
Cast and creatives will be available for post show q&a's Writer Tim Baker (subject to availability) is available to conduct writing workshops both in venue and at local schools Photographer Ted Grambeau's work is available for exhibition in suitable venues and where possible subject to availability Ted is also available to conduct photography workshops. Cast available to attended local libraries for readings of the children's book during performance season
Comments/Reviews
Elissa Blake
Media Review
“It goes to the Bleach festival in 2020 and, fingers crossed, the idea is to try to make it travel as far as possible, especially to communities on the coast. “It’s like everything we do at Merrigong. We’re always looking for that opportunity to give a production a longer life and connect to regional audiences. (Read More)