“An inspired jaunt through the nautical, literary and personal history of women.”
***1/2
Seasoned storyteller and comedian Eleanor Morton brings her whimsical dissection of the treatment of female bodies to the Fringe. Stepping down into the belly of Cabaret Voltaire, you are met with the ethereal image of Morton as a nonchalant mermaid, perched atop a lovely bit of crafted rock. The staging is immersive, considered, aptly hand-made, and sets the scene for a deep-dive into the true nature of these mythical women.
There are only a few proper ‘jokes’ in this show, Morton attests. ‘Not really my vibe,’ she cringes after each one. Her style is more suited to a lecture, delivered with unwavering confidence and a wry smile. The pacing doesn’t lend itself to belly laughs, but Morton delivers a steady stream of sensible chuckles throughout.
She swims through the topic of female representation, combining funny analysis of ancient legends with more grounded anecdotes about growing up pale and ginger. It all speaks to Morton’s argument: we’ve always told stories about female bodies to avoid their reality, that they can be messy, angry, painful, wonderful and real. She’s a brilliant storyteller, each piece of evidence presented with careful consideration.
It’s sometimes unclear what the preferred outcome of each sequential nugget of information is. Many of them are genuinely fascinating, but feel like a punchline is somewhat of an afterthought. That said, Morton’s conversational approach makes for a really enjoyable hour, and she manages to lead up to a pretty triumphant pay-off.
If you don’t believe a mermaid can stand up (not least because of Morton’s own scaly tail), go and see Eleanor Morton’s inspired jaunt through the nautical, literary and personal history of women.
Eleanor Morton: The Mermaid
CabVol 1 at Monkey Barrel Comedy
7-30 Aug | 13:00 (55min)
Eleanor Morton: The Mermaid ***1/2
Published on
Edinburgh Fringe 2026 
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