Fisherman’s Friends

What a joyous way to spend an evening, ensemble theatre at its very best, beautiful singing, staging and excellent performances from all. The rousing sound of rich and mature male voices balanced by the sweet purity of the women in the cast and at times when together giving a powerful and almost orchestral sense to the evening’s musical offerings.

And this delightful confection is in a musical and theatrical sense totally fulfilling and for those reasons alone I really loved it. All this said I have one caveat, and that is that the story, whilst charming, is nowhere near as satisfying as that music. It’s basic rags to riches, the poor against the wealthy and with a love story thrown in. It’s all based on the true story of a bunch of salty sea dogs who are discovered by a record label A&R man who pushes them to fame and chart success. How much of the detail in the plot is based on the true story I am unsure and it’s believable enough but simply not that interesting or that well written.

But do not let me put you off this show which is from start to finish a delight. James Gaddas is once again excellent, this time with a voice that in speech sounds like a fishing boat being dragged over pebbles, but when singing is a rich delight. It’s supported by a cast of actors and actor musicians with real musical skill and some clever staging and design that captures the atmosphere of a Cornish village and seafaring so well.

The highlight of the evening for me though has to have been the beautiful singing and playing of the part of Alwyn by Parisa  Shahmir. With the world of music populated by any number of female vocalists none of them come within a mile of this fine young woman’s vocal prowess and her delivery of some of the best numbers of the evening is spine-tinglingly good.

It’s a great musical night out and with such a large and talented cast worth every penny of anyone’s money.

Andrew Kay

Theatre Royal Brighton

7 March

Rating: