The Merman King tells the story of two journeys. 
One journey, told within the context of a 25-minute opera, is a response to exploration of Homer's Odyssey.  A Merman Boy finds himself washed up on shore... without his tail, but with a golden crown in his hand. He has been chosen by his fellow sea creatures to be King of the Underwater World, but the Merman Boy is not confident that he is up to the job. The Merman King follows our hero's quest to regain his tail, along the way encountering a cast of characters - a Lion, Chimp and Elephant - who try, but firmly fail, to shake his confidence and derail him from his path. The Merman King is supported throughout his quest by the presence of Water, played by a very special group of young people, a constant choir of comfort and wisdom, there in times of need to remind the Merman Boy who he is and what he is capable of.  The journey ultimately shows the boy that he does, in fact, embody all of the honourable qualities that The Merman King should possess, and that he has done all along.

But The Merman King follows an even greater journey, told within the context of a 30-minute short film about the development and making of The Merman King opera.  The concept, score and libretto were directly inspired by and written for students and guests of Ysgol Erw'r Delyn, Palmerston Primary School and Touch Trust, three Cardiff-based organisations that specialise in the education (Ysgol Erw'r Delyn, Palmerston) and touch based therapy (Touch Trust) of young people with learning difficulties and profound and multiple disabilities. The story that developed is a story about courage, identity and integrity.  This incredible group of people are the true heroes of this story, and The Merman King is their journey.

Composer: John O'Hara

Designer & Director: Richard Aylwin

Narrative Director: Karen Hayes 

Librettist: Claire Williamson

Baritone & Vocal Animatuer: Owen Webb