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Review- Potted Pirates

August 29, 2008

Venue: The Lowry
Date reviewed: 29th August, 2008

star

“Yarragh!” Practice this phrase in a suitable pirate accent before you see this wickedly funny production. As, from the moment you sit down and the cast is wandering around the auditorium handing out play balls, to the rousing end song, audience involvement with this show is mandatory.

Brought to the stage by the same team who gave us Potted Potter, this is a barrel of fun. Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner guide the audience both young and old through a series of pirate stories. Although the basic facts are there, you have never seen these tales done this way before.

A simple set design, a few well chosen props, clever costumes and a great deal of talent propel the audience at breakneck speed through tales of William Dampier, Treasure Island, Anne Bonney and Mary Read, Sir Francis Drake, Henry Morgan and Blackbeard, with some Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates Of The Caribbean thrown in for good measure, me hearties!

I have to admit to having never seen the history of the British Naval defeat of the Spanish Armada in quite that way – and will probably never be able to take it seriously again.

A tremendously funny script, written by the pair, along with their director Richard Hurst, is enhanced by the obvious enjoyment of the performers and their willingness to ad-lib as they go. With dramatic music by Phil Innes and effective lighting by James Mathew, the two cast members skilfully handle the lightning-speed changes of subject, moving between acting, comedy and singing with swashbuckling ease.

The younger members of the audience are held captivated throughout, with very few pauses inbetween the giggles and hearty laughter. Slapstick comedy appeals to both children and adults, and the gently suggestive asides mean that us oldies can laugh at the odd double entendre on our own! But underneath it all, the core of factual information will encourage both children and adults to find out more about the pirates that are parodied so well here.

Go and relish the opportunity to join in with your kids for an hour. But, don’t forget to wait around at the end to find out what the play balls are for!

A must-sea, Captain!

-Helen Jones

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