The Last Voyage of Sinbad (Bristol)

Six hammocks are slung across the bare stage. First a trumpet is poked out of one, then a mandolin out of another, next a leg and gradually other bits of bodies emerge from the remaining hammocks. A ship‘s crew slowly gets ready for the day’s fishing, but on this fateful day they will land something rather unexpected, Sinbad, a traveller who sees himself as cursed and recommends the sailors throw him back in the sea lest his presence endanger their lives:- People die because of me! For the rest of the evening Sinbad tells us his terrible tales and a love story which constantly surprises and finally moves us.

Yet again Bristol’s Tobacco Factory Theatres and Travelling Light have come together to create a family show that is fizzing with energy, inventiveness and wit. All of the qualities that this theatre’s audience has come to expect are on view. The multi-talented cast of five each take on a variety of roles (most of them play Sinbad at some stage of the evening); the musicians, Pete Judge and Alex Vann, are fully integrated into the action and have come up with an evocative score with a wide range of influences; and with the simplest of means a desert island, an air balloon, a catastrophic storm and a wedding celebration are brought to life. Designer Katie Sykes and lighting designer Matthew Graham create real visual poetry and each adventure is staged with style, humour and panache.

Director Craig Edwards gets vivid performances from his whole cast. Vic Llewellyn‘s appealingly hangdog Sinbad is a man in search of the most precious thing in his life but increasingly aware of the damage he does to everyone he encounters. Lucy Tuck gives a strong performance as the captain who shuns land and is desperately worried at the ship’s failure to catch any fish. Saikat Ahamed, Chris Bianchi and Zara Ramm give performances of great versatility, physicality and charm. The show has something for everyone: from fishing to cannibalism, from the shipping forecast to a dance to the death. And a final scene that will send shivers down your spine.

– John Campbell