Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 18 February 2023
Reviewed by Gemma Gibson
4****
It’s o-fish-ial – Fisherman’s Friends The Musical has finally docked at Southampton Mayflower. An energetic, wholesome tale of love, community and the magic of the sea shanty.
Fisherman’s Friends is Cornwall’s answer to a famous ‘bouy band’ – a group of seafarers that bring historic sailor chants and song to the mainstream. Their irresistible story has been on the big screen since 2019 and has finally made it to the stage.
The story revolves around Jim, fisherman and unofficial leader of the musical group, played by James Gaddas, and his relationship with hometown Port Issac, his bandmates, daughter Alywyn (Parisa Shahmir) and parents Jago (Robert Duncan) and Maggie (in the 14 February production, played by Janet Mooney).
When washed up music manager Danny, played exquisitely by Jason Langley, stumbles on to the scene and catches the acapella group in action, he is at first bewildered, then starstruck. It becomes his mission to record a demo and get Fisherman’s Friends the recognition they deserve. A slot at Glastonbury even.
It’s a storyline we’re used to – London underdog finds the answer to his problems through a community that captures his heart – but it’s done so refreshingly well.
And, of course, it’s the wonderful music that makes this production a stand out and two hours of toe-tapping fun.
After watching Fisherman’s Friends, I can confidently say you have not heard a sea shanty until you have heard it live. Watching the group in a semicircle belting their beloved chants on sailing, love, and the sea, complete with rhythmic stomps, claps and cheers, you are transported to their world.
The power and soul of hearing the group’s catalogue of sea shanties live, you can feel the ancestors, the history, the emotion, and the magic that these Cornish seafarers are so protective and passionate about. Little Liz I Love You was a personal favourite.
With minimalist and casual set and costume, stripping away the normal musical ‘razzle-dazzle’, Fisherman’s Friends is clever and sensitive in how it transports sea shanties and their candid nature to the stage.
I thought incorporating the band into the Port Issac world was just genius. Watching the musicians perform their upbeat tunes while immersed in the storyline and expertly executed choreography really hammered the sense of community home.
Shahmir stole the show with her fiery personality and powerful voice to match. Her rendition of Village by the Sea was enchanting.
The somewhat simple storyline is aided by emotional sub plots that allow the story to swim along nicely, in doing so further depending our connection with the Fisherman’s Friends community and characters.
In a large and charismatic cast, this also brought important characters to the spotlight including new father and pub owner Rowan (Dan Buckley) and the talented and hilarious Leadville (Pete Gallagher).
Opening night at The Mayflower ended with a very deserved standing ovation. Fisherman’s Friends will make you laugh, cry and try to sing along. It had us hooked.