"Fisherman's Friends :The Musical"

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

I can remember seeing the 2019 film of the Cornish group of fishermen who formed into a local buoy band to sing sea shanties. And who'd have thought they would have reached the dizzy heights of playing the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, as well as having a touring musical about them?

I have their album, seen the films but seeing this story performed on stage is something completely different, completely breath-taking.

Their musical talents are spotted by a green around the gills, fish out of water music producer, Danny, up from London, who sees a market for their music, but also discovers that these Cornish fishermen are not as easy a catch as first thought! After a lot of convincing, Danny takes them to London, where all matter of fun ensues, especially in one of the gay bars, but eventually an album is recorded, released and hits the National album charts and Glastonbury.

Along the way the local hostelry is saved, as is the livelihood of a young married couple with a new family. Love is found, but their is also sadness towards the end, but the power of music and community wins through. Completely heart-warming.

The soundtrack is one that will stay in your ears for days afterwards; there's no way you'll get seasick of hearing these incessantly catchy earworms. "What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor", "Wellerman", "Leave Her Johnny", "Bully Boys", "Shanty Man", "Keep Haulin", they are all there, and just you try and keep your feet still during these massive sea shanty favoutites. But also wait for those gorgeous Celtic sounding solo songs that will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing to attention.

The musical accompaniment is all played out on stage by members of the cast and musicians.

The whole production is an ensemble piece and the power of that ensemble hit you like a tidal wave. The harmonies from the actors are amazing and the accapella pieces sound like Phil Spector has had a hand in the sound.

James Gaddas, who plays Jim is a powerful leader of the ensemble and has a voice to match his powerful stance.

Dominic Brewer, who is the London cuckoo in the nest, also shows a really strong voice. To start with he is pushy and quite unlikeable, but then we start to see the softer side of him, as he falls under the charms of Alwyn, played by Parisa Shahmir, who has an incredible, clear voice that slices through the Theatre Royal air, giving you goosebumps.

Robert Duncan plays Jago, the eldest of the Fishermen at seventy-two years old, but what energy his character has.

One big surprise, well for me anyway, is the appearance of Susan Penhaligon, who you may remember from "Upstairs Downstairs", "A Fine Romance" and "A Bouquet Of barbed Wire", playing Maggie, Jago's wife. What a treat to see this Cornishwoman perform on our local stage in a musical all about Cornwall and Cornish people.

One other thing that I didn't know was that the book was written by Nottingham's very own legend, Amanda Whittington.

Directed by James Grieve, he made this whole theatrical experience one that I will certainly never forget.

Choreographed by Matt Cole, he created excitement with what looked to be simple choreographed pieces, but like most simple looking things, I imagine this area of the production was not as simplistic as it looked, and that in itself is something to doff one's theatrical cap to.

The sound design is by Dan Samson. There were a few late mic cues but what the heck, I was enjoying myself so much that when these second late cues kicked in, it made me revert back into reviewer mode, as previously I was just another audience member. I very quickly slipped back to audience member mode. Apart from the slight slips, the sound was incredibly clear, and at just the right volume level.

Lighting is by Johanna Town. You know that when you think back to these certain areas of production and you can't remember anything about it, you realise that it was practically perfect because nothing pricked your memory. With that in mind, the lighting must have been spot on.

Musical Direction by James Findlay. Basically see the above. Perfect music that just made you want to dance.

The set, which is just like the Port Isaac area in Cornwall is designed by Lucy Osborne, as are the costumes. Having spent several holidays in Cornwall and in Port Isaac, it was like looking at a holiday snapshot.

There are boats on stage being tossed about on a smoky sea, a marvellous Cornish bar room, London gay bar and several more scene changes which just seemed to appear and disappear, such was the smoothness of the stage crew and actors.

"Fisherman's Friends:The Musical" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 4 February, so I'd get my skates on as I codn't bear for you to miss out on sea-ing and herring this heart warming musical. There's a plaice for you there and I guarantee a whale of a time will be had by all.