Mermaid

Mermaid
Written by Polly Teale
Directed by MFA Candidate Emily Marisabel

November 27-29, 2025 | Bleviss Laboratory Theatre

Synopsis:

A bold reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen's tale of love, loss and desire, transported to a contemporary setting. Mermaid explores what it means to come of age, as a woman, in a world full of conflicting expectations. Blue, a young girl who uses her imagination, playing pretend and the story of The Little Mermaid to cope with the reality of growing up transports us beneath the ocean's waves where there is no death or pain or separation. Above, the modern world is beset with war, poverty and want. 

On her sixteenth birthday, a mermaid rises up to the surface, leaving her childhood behind forever when she falls in love with a mortal prince. She knows that she can no longer live at the bottom of the ocean - but must she destroy herself and her voice in order to be loved and accepted?

The script moves fluidly between lyrical fantasy and raw realism using movement, music, and poetic language to contrast the allure of transformation with the pressures of body image, puberty, and the search for identity.

Runtime: 1hour 35 minutes, plus a 15 minute intermission

Content Advisory: Find the content advisories for the production HERE

Please note: Due to the high demand of tickets for this event. If tickets are not claimed 5 minutes to the performance they will be released for walk ups.