Allergic To Water

ALLERGIC TO WATER: A Dark Comedy About the World’s Most Famous Mermaid

Co-Presented by Wee Witches & Inside Out Theatre

Melusine, the oldest daughter, of an oldest daughter, of an oldest daughter, is on trial.

Her crime? Possessing a body that cannot be believed.

A story of intergenerational bathtubs, mysterious chronic illness, and a barista with a top-secret brew, performed with the musical accompaniment of an extremely talented albatross.

Wee Witches and Inside Out Theatre proudly present Allergic to Water, an interactive dark comedy about intergenerational bathtubs, mysterious chronic illness, and a barista with a top-secret brew. Created and performed by Jacqueline Russell, with music by Jeremy Gignoux, this one-of-a-kind theatrical experience blends physical comedy, surreal storytelling, and musical absurdity —featuring an exceptionally talented albatross, running from November 5 - 8, 2025 at Victor Mitchell Theatre in Pumphouse Theatre.

Allergic to Water, created by Jacqueline Russell and performed in collaboration with musician Jeremy Gignoux, tells the story of Melusine, a mermaid trapped in a human body, who develops a mysterious chronic illness that leaves her unable to work or function. As she attempts to navigate the medical system to find answers, her attempts to be a credible witness for her body are dismissed, ignored and pathologized.

Runtime: 75 - 85 minutes

(Age 14+ contains top half nudity with “pasties”, foul language, discussion of chronic illness and medical trauma)

November 6th's performance will be followed by a community conversation following this performance which aims to offer an opportunity for our audience to engage in a conversation that extends beyond the show. It will offer a space to foster both an artistic conversation and a social conversation about the show, the artists and chronic illness.