Disney's version is a chirpy, red-head who gets her happy ending, Hans Christian Anderson’s version is a sweet but tragic figure whose heart is broken.

But Kerri McLean’s version of a mermaid is drawn from a much darker place, inspired by exotic folk tales and her own mixed heritage.

The director and actress, who has Caribbean and European ancestry, moved to Haringey in June and has spent the summer in residence at Bernie Grant Arts Centre, talking to community groups and developing her one-woman show Memories of Mermaids.

“I was really interested in the figure of a mermaid and how she represents womanhood and also lives between two worlds.

“My dad is Jamaican and my mum has Flemish and Welsh ancestry and I grew up in Birmingham, so I thought I would use the metaphor of the mermaid to explore that.“

Her one-woman play which opens at the arts centre in Tottenham Green next week tells the tale of Rosa Lee, who is part of a homeless community known as The Thames Mudlarks who keep watch over the banks. There they wait in hope that on the night of the full moon the infamous mermaid will appear, and wishes will be granted, and dreams will come true. However when 12-year-old school girl Marika Jones goes missing, difficult questions must be answered in a bid to uncover the truth of her disappearance.

“Disney’s version is the one in a lot of people’s minds, but if you look into it more the majority of mermaid stories actually end quite badly,“ explains the 36-year-old.

“My play is both dark and light and I have tried to write a piece that children and adults can connect with, that has been the biggest challenge.“

Kerri, who set up the award-winning theatre company Rolemop Arts in 2006 says it has been “amazing“ to have the support of Bernie Grant Arts Centre as it has allowed her the rare opportunity to spend time developing the piece with members of the community.

As well as visiting the archives at Bruce Castle Museum to research the history of the area, she talked to members of Jacksons Lane’s lunch club and youth group, the African Caribbean Leadership Company in Hornsey and visited an old people’s home in Muswell Hill.

“It’s been a brilliant project for me on a personal level as I have got to know the borough and have met lots of people.

“The really interesting part has been talking to them about how they see storytelling and whether it is still relevant to them.

“For some who have migrated here the retelling of stories seems even more important as it is a way to stay connected with their heritage.“

Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, Friday, October 31, 7.30pm. Details: 020 8365 5450, berniegrantcentre.co.uk