The Lowry, Salford- until Saturday 23 February 2019.
Reviewed by Joseph Everton.
3***
Rough Crossing, a production full of promise, steamed into Salford and docked at the Lowry last night, with a talented cast including a household name, John Partridge, a script from a writer decorated with Tony and Olivier awards, Tom Stoppard, and an acclaimed director, Rachel Kavanaugh. Dazzled by the prospect of such a production and after John Partridge’s promise of a ‘very funny’ show on ITV’s GMB, I took my seat in front of an impressive nautical set, reassured that I was in for a treat.
Charlie Stemp as Dvornichek kept me engaged as Turai (John Partridge) went about creating a play which might save the relationship of Natasha (Issy Van Randwyck) and Adam (Rob Ostlere) after a conversation regarding Natasha’s illicit affair with Ivor (Simon Dutton) drifted down from the upper deck of the ship, threatening to destroy the play and break Adam’s heart. Although the production and acting could be described as shipshape, the script was a forgettable barrage of words which achieved nothing more than the odd ripple of laughter or gentle wave of applause.
Act one gathered pace with some enjoyable moments and although slightly underwhelmed, I hoped this upward trend would continue. However, after another 45 minutes of treading water, an all singing, all dancing final number could do little to recover the sinking ship that was act two.
If you’re a fan of Tom Stoppard or if you want to see John Partridge in a different light, this show is worth an evening at the theatre. Yet despite all the enthusiasm of the cast and some great staging, Rough Crossing failed to deliver the laughs that I was expecting.