By: Rosie Sharman-Ward, TRP Reviewer
This extraordinary play, written by Simon Parker to mark 200 years of the RNLI, is a jewel box of questions and ideas that allows the audience to explore the meanings of courage, service and heroes alongside the characters.
Joe, a slightly jaded playwright, is looking for the “hook” for his next money-spinning idea. His exasperated wife, Alice, is tiring of his lack of genuine interest in anything real, especially in contrast to her work as an ICU nurse in an underfunded NHS. “Alice, you are a hero!” “Yes I am, Joe and thank you for noticing.” Joe floats an idea about a disaster in Cornwall where an entire lifeboat crew lost their lives attempting a rescue some 40 years ago. Alice pushes him to physically go and research the story. En route he meets Craig who seems to know a lot about it. What he discovers shakes him out of his apathy and creates a morass of confused emotions. Can he, a city boy, write this? Will it upset people? Is he worthy?
The cast is fabulous. Joe’s (Darcy Vanhinsbergh) vacillating and doubts are maddeningly believable. Feisty Alice (Robyn Collins) wearied by her difficult shifts but still taking no nonsense from the men is just wonderful. Craig (Paul Morel) with his warmth and sense under pinned by sadness is finely drawn. I’d like a friend like Craig.
Designer Gabby Schooling’s set is cleverly understated allowing the play to flow seamlessly from London to Mousehole, from train to cafe and safety to peril. Enhanced by Nathan Benjamin’s lighting that floods or focuses as required and is exactly enough.
The winner of the Tech crown, however, has to be Tom Parker for the incredible soundscape. It so skillfully cuts into the play, it becomes the fourth character in an already brilliant cast. From the outset we share the company of the crew of the doomed lifeboat, Solomon Browne, as they meet up in the pub. We laugh along with their warm Cornish banter and feel we become a little acquainted with these ordinary blokes who drop everything to come to the aid of strangers. We are party to their concerns, love for their families and expectations.
Under the masterly hand of Director Mark Lavill, the show in turn poses some questions for its audience as we join Joe on his journey to find answers; Who are the heroes in our society? Why do people leave their warm beds and families, facing the teeth of a running sea to rescue strangers? How do their families cope with their loved one’s service to others? What happens to a small community blown apart by loss? Can you pick out a hero in a pub, a hospital or a street?
I find the thoughts triggered by this powerful play are still resonating in my head. Next time you look out of a window with a shudder thinking, “I’m glad I’m not out in this!” spare a thought for the men and women of the RNLI, the lifeboat crews and their families.