What I liked
On a more modern note, the protagonist’s personal battles feel like a reflection of the financial pressures so many face today. Whether it’s scrambling for a guaranteed $200 loan to make ends meet or falling deeper into credit card debt, the struggle to stay afloat—financially and emotionally—is universal. The play’s themes of being submerged and ultimately finding the strength to resurface are apt metaphors for the weight of loans, debts, and the ever-present temptation to take out another credit card to cover life’s mounting expenses.
In Sundance Institute Knight Fellows Project, Italome Ohikhuare offers a raw, mystical, and thought-provoking piece that confronts not only the protagonist’s heritage and health but also the deeper struggles we all face in trying to rise above the challenges of modern life—whether they’re tied to our cultural roots or financial burdens. The play is as much a spiritual exploration as it is a cautionary tale about the impact of our choices, reminding us that, like loans and debts, some connections—whether to family or to ancient deities—can have lasting consequences.
What I didn't like
For those seeking a richly layered narrative that tackles identity, culture, and the complexities of life, this Fringe Scholarship winner is an unforgettable must-see.
My overall impression
This bold and captivating play, centered around an American bridesmaid’s clash with her Nigerian relatives at a family wedding, takes the audience on an unexpected and deeply personal journey. As the protagonist grapples with her ailing health, the play veers into the mystical when she uncovers a link between her illness and an ancient mermaid goddess—culminating in a mysterious and haunting drowning ceremony. This fictionalized retelling of a true story, penned by Italome Ohikhuare, brilliantly weaves together cultural tensions, family dynamics, and the power of ancestral traditions in a way that feels both intimate and epic.
What makes this play particularly compelling is its nuanced exploration of identity and belonging. The protagonist’s struggle to navigate her dual identity as an American and a Nigerian at a family wedding resonates with anyone who’s ever felt torn between two cultures. Yet, the play also offers a deeper spiritual journey, where the discovery of an ancient connection to a mermaid goddess leads her to question not just her health, but her very sense of self.
