Port Out Starboard Home

It turns out that this play is quite controversial and challenging and probably should have a trigger warning. How Highbury Players came to terms with these facts and did it anyway shows courage, if not potential folly.  On reflection this was treading into dangerous territory. However, it wasn’t done clumsily or without the understanding or appreciation of the play's controversy and dark themes. 

I arrived not having heard of the play and so was completely open minded, looking forward to a good performance by the Highbury Players, and experiencing a wonderful night of comedy entertainment. The set was built well, depicting a deck on a cruise ship complete with small bar, The Blue Lagoon, which would be manned throughout the entire voyage of this play.  Sun loungers were out, tables and chairs, bunting and the requisite cocktail umbrellas and sun hats. I could almost smell the heady mix of factor 15 infused with the fruity sweet aroma of Pina Coladas wafting through the air. 

Then the various characters, a cross section of society as it were, came into the scene and we were introduced to each through their portrayal of their backgrounds, family dynamics and history, foibles, values, beliefs and personal takes on daily life.  A cruise is a floating portholed melting pot of characters and personalities all corralled in one space with no means of avoidance or escape. And the truth comes out. Revelations occur, familial tectonic plates shift, and dynamics are challenged.  Atmospheres change as quickly as Norovirus could rip through the passenger manifest, and it all became rather serious at times. Therefore, I must start with the most controversial character.

Brian, played by Paul Burrows, was a controlling, manipulative, stubborn bigot and homophobe. Thoroughly controlling of his wife Jackie, convincing her she needed him to take care of her, that she was ill, incapable and stupid, demonstrating all the components of domestic abuse. Brian was poisoning her mind and sense of who she was just as much as he was terrified she would leave him. He needed her to be entirely dependent on him. As a result, Jackie, his wife, played by Trudie Carter, depicted a shell of a woman who had succumbed to Brian's badgering and bullying tactics. His control and coercive behaviours had worn her down till there was no semblance left of the woman she was. This dynamic was very well played by them both and I can only imagine it must have been difficult at times. The emotion and passion, fear and anger were palpable. 

Mother and older adult son, Miriam and Stewart, are on the cruise. Stewart, played by Stuart Dickenson, portrayed all the elements of being the downtrodden much maligned older son, still living with mum, not married, no girlfriend and browbeaten by a mother who can’t wait to be a grandmother and who is on the constant lookout for a potential mate for him. Stuart depicted a constantly embarrassed and cringing character who wished he could hide, knowing it was useless trying to stop her matchmaking and bullying…she just wouldn’t listen. So, he never felt he had permission to tell her his truth. Miriam, played very well by Carol Smith, was a cossetting, controlling and shrewd  older mother perhaps getting to the point of despairing of her son. These two characters worked so well together they were a joy to watch as their characters grew and evolved into a changed understanding and acceptance of each other.

The actress Amanda came on board for one day only, to get away from it all and do something different and caused quite a stir with Stewart, raising the hopes of a date and maybe something a lot more, in Miriam. Amanda, played by Amy Gould, gave a very competent and confident performance in her role.

Santiago Azcueta was magnificent as the buzzing, sickeningly positive and bubbly Wayne, the ship's entertainment officer. His only purpose in life was to make sure the passengers were active, engaging in various on-board entertainments and if he could manage a cheeky little ‘active’ rendezvous on the side with the men on board, well,  so much the better.  Very well done.

The man working the bar from the beginning was the tanned moustachioed, debonair and suave lady killer Alexandro, played with aplomb by Dene Woods. His stereotypical barman mannerisms, physicality and presence on the stage demonstrated a quiet confidence in who he was depicting and was understated and sublime. He spent most of the time busying himself behind the bar, schmoozing the patrons and dropping garnets of wisdom to Miriam in particular which jolted her into evaluating her life with Brian, identifying and resurrecting a new ‘blossoming’ woman, defying all her husband Brian wanted her to be. 

Cast members Beryl Buckle (playing Mrs Havers) and Roger Mitchell (playing the arthritic Mr. Martin) are expressive and comedic character actors and brought two doddery older people to life on the stage. Other supporting cast members Georgia Davies, Elena Martinez-Blanco and Chris Wrein contributed very well, depicting the usual goings-on as the other passengers on board…sunbathers, bar occupants and groups at tables chatting in the background which meant the scene behind was always dynamic and acted throughout.

This play is listed as a comedy. Indeed, there were some very funny lines, expressions and situations throughout, some of which would not be considered acceptable modern parlance.  There were bouts of laughter from the audience, some moments when I could hear the sucking of teeth and others where you could hear a pin drop, such was the tension on the stage. I am taken by how Highbury Players worked with two diametrically opposed themes, up to their ankles in controversy and yet still able to keep this a well-balanced performance.

Acknowledgement also goes to the crew and support personnel of the Highbury Players. It is well appreciated that a show cannot go on without the commitment of the Sound and Lighting crew, Front of House staff, refreshments and bar staff and all those who gave of their skills, time and efforts to make this a polished and enjoyable evening for all.

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