Fish Outta Water at Mercury Theatre Studio Review
Jess Ashley, writer and performer in Fish Outta Water
Written by Eleanor B for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
There are some things a fish just can’t do, like… ride a bicycle. No matter how hard it tries, it will never be able to get its slippery little fins on the pedals.”
Featuring at this year’s Colchester Fringe, Fish Outta Water is a beautifully performed solo piece written and performed by Jess Ashley, and produced by Joe Allen.
A semi-autobiographical work, the play explores Jess’s personal journey with neurodiversity. Guided by the witty narration of her inner David Attenborough and fuelled by her passion for marine biology, she takes the audience through the pivotal decision of whether to go to university, and all the emotional undercurrents that come with it.
Before the performance began, Jess personally greeted each audience member, learning our names and creating an immediate sense of warmth and connection. Once everybody was seated, she explained that the show would be a relaxed performance, with softer lighting and lower sound levels, making it an inclusive and comfortable space for everyone.
Lasting just under an hour, and with a little audience participation to help guide her through her bucket list of things, Jess takes us through a number of different environments, each easy to imagine without ever leaving the minimal set. We find ourselves watching manta rays at an aquarium, walking through a weed-scented park (thanks to the teenagers), and sitting in her therapist’s so-called ‘zen’ office — stark white, bland, and anything but calming.
Despite the simplicity of the stage, made up of a table, her eco-friendly water bottle and a tub of fish food, the story’s different chapters and characters were easy to follow, each one brought vividly to life through Jess’s heartfelt storytelling and expressive performance. There were moments of humour, reflection and deep relatability, even for those who don’t share her neurodivergent experience.
Fish Outta Water is a heartfelt, funny and quietly powerful piece, and a perfect way to open Colchester Fringe.
Catch its final performance on Friday 31 October at 8:30pm
★★★★★
