Why The Whales Came – Theatre Royal Plymouth

Picture: Gemma Smith

Why The Whales Came at The Drum, Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Thanks to the global pandemic and all the long-standing restrictions that came with it, young performers edging their way into the theatre world have taken many a knock back. However, with theatres up and down the country beginning to open their doors once more and welcoming audiences back to full capacity, bright young stars can once again begin to look to the future and showcase their growing talents.

British Youth Music Theatre has presented several shows recently, all featuring casts of young stars, including a new stage musical adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s Why the Whales Came.

It tells the story of children Danny (Ben Hastings) and Gracie (Alice Kermeen), living on the island of Bryher in the Scilly Isles before and during the First World War. They’ve spent their entire childhood being told two things: one, stay away from Samson, the allegedly cursed island, and to fear the strange and wicked Birdman (Alexander Cheetham). But when they discover the truth, and with war reaching their beloved islands, the community must come together to overcome adversity.

A simplistic set consisting of several boxes, chest of drawers, netting and fabric (design by Lu Herbert) is brought to life by the 28-strong young cast members who play all the residents of Bryher, with some taking on multiple roles. This large ensemble also features a number of talented actor-musos who play a multitude of different instruments, creating a powerful atmosphere that lifts the story to new levels. The performers work together to create the surroundings of the different islands and the great whale itself.

With the show having been rehearsed and teched in just two short weeks, the young cast is clearly made up of stars of the future, not only for their ability to learn it all so quickly, but also for the high quality of their performances. Thanks to an energetic and lovable portrayal of Danny, Hastings easily gets the audience on his side and his character’s friendship with Kermeen’s Gracie is believable and touching. Cheetham boasts a commanding stage presence as the Birdman, acting both as a character and a narrator of sorts (with a very convincing accent).

Isabel Pritchard impresses greatly as Clemmie Jenkins, Gracie’s mother, who must try to hold it all together when war turns their world upside down. Her powerful vocals raise the roof. Wren Clark’s Treve Pender is also a standout, as is Morgan Beedell’s island bully Big Tim, but I really must praise the entire cast of talented young artists who give their all to bring this much-loved story to life. They fill the space with a bright-eyed energy and you can feel the joy and passion pouring from their performances. Looking at this company of young stars, the future of musical theatre is bright.

The music and lyrics by Bella Barlow and Nikki Racklin are heartfelt, memorable and varied, featuring ballads, high-energy dance scenes and songs inspired by sea shanties and folk music. Phyllida Crowley-Smith’s choreography fills the Drum space and creates the bustling community of Bryher.

Directed by Simon Kane, Why the Whales Came is a poignant tale that highlights the importance of community, of people coming together in hard times and seeing the best in each other, no matter what. The audience, including young children and adults, was captivated by the storytelling and the music and it would be an awful shame if this was the last we see of this charming tale. Even with the short rehearsal period, this was a polished piece of theatre that is screaming out for a future.

Becky Wallis