THE LITTLE MERMAID

About the show

Bastian Kraft's reinterpretation of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale merges the story of a mermaid's longing for transformation with the aesthetics and philosophy of drag performance. By drawing parallels between underwater life—where bodies blur and forms dissolve—and drag as an art form that uses costumes and makeup to deconstruct gender roles, the production explores themes of identity, desire, and social acceptance. Featuring ensemble members alongside performers from Switzerland's drag scene, the staging celebrates spectacle while examining Andersen's tragic narrative through a contemporary lens. The work invites reflection on transformation, belonging, and the freedom to exist beyond prescribed social categories.