Legacies, Q the Locals and Ribix Productions, The Q, 2-5 August

 

Rachel Pengilly writes and directs this story, based on her own family history, of six young Scottish stowaways on the cargo ship Arran, whose experiences shocked people back home when they came to light in 1868. It's a brutal but compelling story, and Pengilly has staged it well with strong visual stage pictures and, in the latter half, a strong dramatic thrust as the boys' experience becomes harsher and crueler. It's a spectacular-looking production on Mel and Lachlan Davies' stunningly beautiful set, lit to perfection by Jacob Aquillina, with careful but powerful sound design from Shannon Parnell. Hanna Pengilly's movement direction ensures we get the sense of the boy's environment, whether it be on ship, land, ice or in water. 

If there is anything to criticise, it's that the first half feels a little bogged down by some generic seafaring events - the driving force of the story doesn't show up until the last five minutes of act one - act two, by contrast, knows exactly where it's going and what it's about, and is compelling throughout. I understand Pengilly's desire not to tip her hand to where the story is going, but ultimately this leads to a slightly underpowered first act, followed by a powerhouse act two. 

The eleven-strong cast is powerful - the six boys, played by Phoebe Silberman, Tamara Brammsll, Tom Bryson, Joshua James, Zoe Ross and Jack Morton, all combine fresh-faced innocence and enthusiasm for adventure with the dawning dread of what's in store for them. There's a powerful dynamic between Tom Cullen's Captain Watt and Christopher Samuel Carroll's First Mate Kerr, as Watt is persuaded into making dreadful decisions - Carroll has a real knack for insidiousness. Tabby Silberman, Chips and Heidi Silberman make up the remaining ensemble, and pick out moments of compassion, honesty and truth. 

As a mainstage directoral debut, Pengilly has shown herself a powerfully skilled creator of stage pictures, finding a strong personal narrative and delivering it well. As a writer she's not quite as strong - the balance between the two acts isn't quite strong enough and Act One needs further work to really service the piece better. But when the story is wrapped up it's a powerful, personal tale, told well, and is a credit to the Q's "Q the Locals" series.