The Unlucky Cabin Boy – Civic Theatre – Review

The Unlucky Cabin Boy tells the story of Patrick O’Brien, a young man living in Limerick in 1835. He lived along with his mother in extreme poverty. Without any real prospects of escaping it, he decided to start a new life on the sea. He took his first job on board the Spaight, a ship that was travelling to Canada. He was a cabin boy, the lowest creature on board and the butt of all the sailor’s jokes. Tragedy strikes when the ship is hit by a massive storm and the sailors that survive are set adrift without food or water. They are left with an impossible decision in order to survive.

This is a new musical written by Mike Finn, with music and lyrics by David Blake of the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra (BPLO). The band form an integral part of the show, and are on stage at all times, even taking acting roles. This is quite a step for the band as it is a very different type of performance, but they are clearly relaxed on stage and well able for this transition. There are four actors along with the five members of the BPLO who play a variety of parts making up the world of Patrick O’Brien.

For a touring production, this play has a very impressive set. The same scene is used for bar room, port and the ship itself. It is made from all things nautical, with timber boards on the floor and a variety of ropes, masts, cargo boxes, sacks and other such elements filling the stage. The band are mainly positioned at the back of the stage, with a drum kit ensconced on a raised platform.

The performance is broken into chapters, with each one telling a different part of the sad tale. It is a convention that moves the story along well and encapsulates each element of the plot. The early parts of the tale are mainly played for laughs. The humour is quite slapstick in nature and light-hearted. After the interval, the plot becomes more tragic and the piece really comes to life as it moves to the powerful ending.

A musical is a difficult art form, there are a lot of different aspects to it, and if any of them does not work, it brings down the whole. The BPLO were integral to this production from the start, and the use of an existing band removes a degree of risk with the musical performance. The music is at the heart of the production, and whether you enjoy it or not will largely depend on whether their music tickles your fancy. It has the feel of a large scale production, ambitious and energetic. With the amount of work and rehearsal that goes into a production of this type, it will hopefully be something that lasts beyond this short tour.

Read out Interview with writer Mike Finn here.

Gúna Nua Theatre & Verdant Productions resents THE UNLUCKY CABIN BOY

Written by Mike Finn

Music & Lyrics by David Blake

Music performed by The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra

Directed by Paul Meade

Produced by Verdant Productions

Irish Tour –

Week 3:    

Theatre Royal, Waterford: Monday 16th November – €18/16

Watergate, Kilkenny: Tuesday 17th & Wednesday 18th November – €18/15

Draíocht, Blanchardstown Dublin: Sat 21st November – €18/14

Week 4:       

Siamsa Tire, Tralee: Weds 25th November – €20/17

Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin: Fri 27th Sat 28th November- €20/16