If you were inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale the Little Mermaid as a child, the modern adaptation by the Sphinx Theatre Company is likely to leave you feeling just as elevated now.

The show revolves around the tale of the Little Mermaid who, on her 15th birthday, visits the world above the sea for the first time and falls in love with a Prince who she rescues from a sea storm.

Her love overwhelms her and she braves a journey to the evil sea-witch, who agrees to help her and give her human legs in exchange for her beautiful singing voice and mermaid's tail.

Most people will be familiar with the Disney production which left audiences on a high with a happy ending. The stage version also has a happy ending - but with a twist.

Sphinx's Artistic Director Sue Parrish says the idea was to create a strong visual and physical show with aerial ballet and acrobatic dancers on rope to create the magical effect of the underwater world.

She says the biggest challenge for her as a director was to ensure audiences didn't lose the sense of the story.

"It is very easy to be seduced by the possibilities that an aerial performance offers you and the biggest task for me was to drive the story and keep it going despite all the beautiful things the dancers can do. You have to shape it so it is absolutely telling the story," she says.

"I always like to work from a strong story, even though I'm interested in the physical and dance. I still think telling the story is what theatre is all about."

Enhanced by Howard Davidson's evocative soundscape and musical score, Parrish believes the appeal of the Little Mermaid lies in the fact that it can be read on more than one level.

"It is a very rich story about someone who is an outsider," adds Sue. "The Little Mermaid has a restlessness in common with a lot of people today. It doesn't turn out quite as she expects but it gives her an experience she wouldn't otherwise have had.

"Hans Christian Andersen has this wonderful ability to confront our worst fears of strangeness and otherness. He struggled for many years to be accepted in the society of his day and he really empathised with the outsider."

"I think the story is inspiring because it presents more questions than answers. You can't help but be stunned by the beauty of the presentation, but you also have to question who has the moral high ground. There are deep themes at work so it's a reality check, as well as inspirational, on how you can change your own life."

Sue says the show has had a huge response so far.

"Even very small children who come to see it with their bigger brothers and sisters have been held by it which, given that it is quite a complicated story, is amazing," she says.

Starts 7.15pm, Thur matinee 1.30pm, Sat matinee 2.30pm. Tickets cost £13-£22. Call 08700 606650.