Review: WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, The Watermill

Photo credit: Pamela Raith

The Watermill’s production of Whistle Down the Wind is the first major UK revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman’s musical since 2010. In true Watermill style, an exceptionally talented cast of actor musicians bring life to the story, originally written by Mary Hayley Bell as a children’s novel.

Whistle Down the Wind tells of Swallow, a teen with two younger siblings, Brat and Poor Baby who have recently lost their mother after a long illness. Living in the bible belt, they find solace from their grief in their church and community.

When a murderer goes on the run from a nearby prison, he finds shelter in Swallow’s family barn. Swallow finds him cursing “Jesus Christ” and believes that he is Jesus, returned to earth as she has been told in church he would one day. The escaped convict plays on Swallow’s grief and naivety to keep himself hidden, which she and her siblings willingly do, believing that Jesus can bring their mother back to them.

Lydia White gives an astounding performance as Swallow; her grief, belief and fear are palpable as she is manipulated by the runaway, argues with her father and tries to fulfil the role of mother to her younger brother and sister, whilst maintaining a childish innocence and naivety of the world around her. This is perfectly mirrored in the magnificent child cast who bring effusive joy to the stage while singing ‘When Children Rule The World’ and a slightly haunting air to ‘No Matter What’, handing their treasured possessions to a killer who they believe to be Jesus.

The casting is incredibly strong throughout. Chrissie Bhima as Candy and Lewis Cornay as Amos bring real energy to the piece during their number ‘Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts’ and Stephanie Elstob’s portrayal of ‘Mother’ is exceptionally poignant, appearing to try and protect her children from beyond the grave. Robert Tripolino strikes a delicate balance playing The Man, somehow igniting both dislike and pity from the audience, particularly as the show reaches its dramatic climax.

The musical talents of the cast are showcased throughout and with a variety of instruments, from a washboard to a cello, a banjo to a triangle! The integration of the music into the action is artfully achieved, with the younger cast members joining in for an enjoyable percussive interlude.

This new production is beautifully staged, the set design by Simon Kenny and the lighting design by Andrew Exeter work flawlessly together, creating church, barn, bar, train bridge and family home in the intimate space allowed by the Watermill stage. At times, the movement and choreography is over-stylised and a little distracting but this is balanced by some beautiful and very slick moments, notably in ‘Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts’.

There are some very dark themes in the piece, including suicide, racism, loss of a parent and manipulation of faith and belief, however this touching revival manages to find many beautiful moments which make it an absorbing evening of theatre.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Sarah Brown

Whistle Down the Wind runs until 10 September, with tickets available here.