Mermaids Have No Tears at Barons Court Theatre Review
Written by Eleanor for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.
This chaotic but entertaining story, written by Ellis Stump, follows a year in the life of three protagonists: Fyn (Everleigh Brenner), who is trying to come out to their absent father and save the planet, Wade (Jack Flammiger), who is desperately trying to exit the friend zone, and Morgan (Olivia Van Opel), who may well be a real-life mermaid!
Mermaids Have No Tears is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, with indirect references to the Disney films and a short section openly discussing Andersen’s own experiences with unrequited love.
The show as a whole engages with a range of themes, addressing a number of pressing social, political and environmental issues. Wade uses his platform as a lecturer to discuss current gender issues and Fyn is determined to save the oceans and reduce the impact of global warming.
Though occasionally muddled and slightly mad, the show offered a fun experience that explored meaningful themes and I think could be rewarding for some viewers. The three main characters first collide at an annual mermaid parade. As Fyn and Morgan enter an open relationship, things become complicated as they all try and make an impact on society in their different ways and co-exist as a group.
Fyn was a fairly strong lead character, with the complex relationship with their father and the theme of addiction added depth to their character. Morgan provided a fun contrast with her carefree attitude and playful mermaid puns, delightfully engaging with the audience before the show. Wade’s role, though initially unclear due to the late reveal of his work as a lecturer, effectively brought out new sides of the other characters.
With so many serious topics (such as gender identities, family dynamics, politics, and climate change) being touched upon in just an 85-minute runtime, none of them were explored in much depth. It could have been more effective to focus on one or two themes and discuss them more thoroughly. Clearer transitions between scenes may also have helped establish time and place, giving a better sense of where we are and how much time has passed. I think this would have improved the overall flow of the show.
Overall, Mermaids Have No Tears was an enjoyable but slightly absurd experience, with several entertaining moments. It tackled a number of important topics that are especially relevant in today’s society. While I found the overall structure a bit muddled and felt that some elements could have used more clarity, going in with the right mindset, it can make for a rewarding and enjoyable evening.
Mermaids Have No Tears is playing at Barons Court Theatre from the 30th April 2025 – 17th May 2025
★★.5
