British Youth Music Theatre – Why the Whales Came

Why the Whales Came, performed by the British Youth Music Theatre, was reviewed at The Mack, Mountview, London.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

It is very moving to see a company of more than 30 talented, well directed young people in a story as powerful as this one.

British Youth Music Theatre specialises in creating new work and this show was developed at a summer camp and performed in an earlier version in Plymouth last year.

We’re in the Scilly Islands in 1914 where the self sufficient people, who rarely travel, avoid the island they think is cursed. Inevitably two children go there but are protected by the mysterious, reclusive Birdman.

Lonely eccentrics who turn out to be kind are a theme in Michael Morpurgo’s work as is the pointlessness of war which, inevitably, soon breaks out in this show.

The ensemble, skilfully choreographed by Phyllida Crowley-Smith, represent the sea, the wind, a storm, the shoreline, a beached whale and much more. It’s both effective and touching.

And from the accomplished ensemble emerge the lead roles with almost everyone having a named part. Chris Dunkley as Danny, one of the children who goes to Samson Island is excellent. He’s a real actor, always in role and extremely good at wide-eyed fear, ebullience and determination.

Elodie Anns as Gracie, the other child at the centre of the story, is sweet voiced and convincing and Alex Cheetham is very strong as the Birdman, complete with Cornish accent.

Bella Barlow’s music (she is also MD) is exquisite. She builds up layers from simple ideas and draws a striking sound from her singers. Helen Matthew, for example, who plays the teacher, Miss Wellbeloved, sings very professionally as does Miriam Davies as Clemmie.

It’s also a real pleasure to see no many budding actor-musos. Yes there’s a band on the balcony level at either side of the stage but there are also violinists, a cellist, clarinettists and more bringing their talents to the ensemble.

This is a fine show and the simple truth of the song ‘Glory feels hollow now you’re gone’ will stay with me for a long time. Warmest congratulations to BYMT and all the creative team, not lease librettist and lyricist Nikki Racklin and director Simon Kane.

Susan Elkin