The Shape of Seamen: a new comic opera

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026
7:00pm to 8:00pm

Varscona Theatre

More Information Register/Tickets

Organized by: Fringe Theatre

Aug.
27

A lonely sailor brings a mermaid home to live in his bathtub, where their operatic romance collides with infidelity, murder accusations, body horror, and species-specific sexual barriers. The vulgar, lighthearted new comic opera is entirely sung through.

A classic tale of boy meets fish: the torrid, operatic romance between sailor and siren. When Herman, a lonely young fisherman, brings a beautiful mermaid home, the lovers face domestic challenges including infidelity, murder accusations, species-specific sexual barriers, Lovecraftian body horror, and leaving the seat up.

This new work is entirely sung through, with an original script and score by Jacquelin Walters and live accompaniment.

Company: Walters & Watt

Genre: Music/Musical Theatre

Runtime: 60 minutes

Rating: 18A

Content notes: Adult Language/Content, Cartoonish Violence, Death, Nudity, Sexual Content, Suicide

Plain-language description: The Shape of Seamen is a new comedy musical about sailor Herman and mermaid Calypso. After Herman brings Calypso home to live in his bathtub, absurdity ensues; the show has no spoken dialogue and contains adult language and mature situations.

Creative team: Playwright, composer, and director Jacquelin Walters; cast Michael Watt and Nicole Maloney; instrumentalists Alex Ward and Jacquelin Walters; designers Nicole Maloney and Jacquelin Walters.

Varscona Theatre

10329 83 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB, T6E 2C6