Allergic To Water comically explores 1 chronically ill mermaid’s journey through broken health-care system

jacqueline Russell plays a mermaid stuck in a human body trying to navigate a broken health-care system in Allergic to Water at the Pumphouse Theatre through Nov. 8.

What if a mermaid found herself allergic to water?

That’s the premise behind Jacqueline Russell’s new solo show, Allergic to Water, which opened Wednesday and runs through Saturday at the Pumphouse Theatre.

Russell created and performs the show with music by Jeremy Gignoux.

It’s described in a release as a “one-of-a-kind theatrical experience that blends physical comedy, surreal storytelling and musical absurdity--featuring an exceptionally talented albatross.”

It tells the story of Melusine, the mermaid trapped in a human body, who develops a mysterious chronic illness that leaves her incapacitated. It explores Melusine’s efforts to navigate a broken health-care system that does its best to turn the mermaid into an unreliable narrator.

That’s a fictional health-care system, of course.

“Living with chronic illness is an ongoing journey of both mental and physical strain, often marked by feelings of isolation and a deep sense of social disconnection,” Russell said in a release.

“This work playfully investigates the gendered dimensions of invisible illness, highlighting the challenges women face in being heard and validated within the medical system. Through the lens of parody and physical comedy, it offers a powerful and unconventional perspective on the lived experience of invisible illness.”

Allergic to Water is a co-production between Wee Witches and Inside Out Theatre, the Calgary theatre company that produces works that explore Deaf and disabled culture.

“We have collaborated with Jacqueline Russell as an artist, facilitator and co-ordinator for many years,” said Inside Out artistic director Col Cseke.

“Her work is infused with care and curiosity and is exceptionally engaging. Comedic, and even absurd treatments of serious subjects is a favourite way of working for us here at Inside Out, and we’re thrilled to join the Allergic to Water team to do just that.”