Review: FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS THE MUSICAL, The Alexandra Birmingham (UK tour)
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
Fisherman’s Friends The Musical is a show like no other. It opens with the shipping forecast and a boat across a misty sea. You hear our fishermen before you seem them, opening the show with ‘Nelson’s Blood’. Their completely raw and heartfelt harmonies are with you throughout the show. They are an ever-growing, ever-strengthening heartbeat to a rather unconventional musical, based around work songs that should accompany rhythmical labour upon the sea or better known as ‘sea shanties’.
The real strength of the show, of course, is the tremendous folk music layered throughout. The songs are sung during work hours, but also drip into day to day life of the sleepy village of Port Isaac. The extremely strong ensemble is ever present. The band are part of the village, playing and participating as the villagers. Due to the size and strength of the ensemble, there is no one to single out; they are all simply outstanding musicians and actors in their own right.
Danny, a single and washed up music producer from London, is staying in Cornwall for a wedding. Here he meets Alwyn and her fisherman friends and family. After hearing them sing, Danny wants to make a record with them and the group travel to London to discover their musical fate.
There are some real heartfelt moments throughout the show. which covers themes such as loss and duty, as well as a fair amount of laughter from the audience throughout. A wonderful balance. However, the show falls a little short with the plot. At 156 minutes long (not including the interval), the show moves at a relatively slow pace and the main character Danny is a little two dimensional; perhaps a cockney stereotype gone too far. These are forgivable however, due to the strong musicianship and community spirit throughout the show. It’s hard not to join in with familiar shanties such as ‘Drunken Sailor’ and ‘John Kanaka’ as well as awe at the lesser known shanties expertly demonstrated by this awesome cast.
The set is simple and effective and allows the actors to move freely and naturally. The different levels of the staging allow for characters to observe their own setting, which adds a lovely texture to the show. The wonderful choreography by Matt Cole means that every movement has purpose and direction and carries the show along naturally.
Fisherman’s Friends is a lovely heartfelt show. The music drives the piece and has a wonderful authenticity. It really is a community-led spectacle and will continue to move communities across the country and hopefully beyond.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Sophie Eaton
Fisherman’s Friends The Musical plays at the Alexandra in Birmingham until 17 September and continues touring until May 2023. Tickets for select touring venues are available here.