Once upon a time, there was a fisherman and a seal-woman. Yes, that’s right, a seal-woman. Or, to be PC, a selkie. Either way, it’s a chick that’s also a seal (kind of like Little Mermaid, but without the sexy shell bikini). This is no ordinary selkie, however, this particular seal-woman is beautiful—so beautiful, in fact, that Mr. Fisherman falls in love with her and takes her as his wife.
As it is with all opposites-attract love sagas, something’s gotta give. Will the selkie choose love and the land? Or will she break her lover’s heart and stay in the sea? If you’re familiar with this Irish/Scottish folktale, you already know the answer. If you aren’t, then writer/director Isabel Nelson will fill you in with her production, Ballad of the Pale Fisherman at Illusion Theater.
Ballad cleaned up at the 2010 Minneapolis Fringe Festival, winning Outstanding Production, Outstanding Director (Nelson), and Outstanding Female Performance (Anna Reichert), and will run at Illusion Theater in an expanded format. What that will look like is anyone’s guess, so bring your imagination and a sense of childlike wonder, and get ready to dive into this fishy fairytale.
Ballad of the Pale Fisherman
February 9-25
$15-$20
Illusion Theater, 528 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-339-4944
illusiontheater.org
