Fisherman’s Friends At Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield Review

Reviewed by Joy Wright

You might remember when the singing fisherman drew the nations attention, coming to fame with their traditional repertoire. It hit the news and the hearts of the people and the production is……
Fisherman Friends tells their story, from the local Cornish folk to the tourists and city slicker Danny played by Jason Langley who creates a provocative scenario for straight-talking fisherfolk and their families, lives and loves.
The production captures a sense of community and camaraderie; the mutual trust and friendship of the close knit people of Port Isaac who surely couldn’t have begun to imagine how their futures might unfold.

As a musical Fishman’s Friends is liberally peppered with shanties and brief musical interludes, loud, uplifting and energetic folksy sounds which get the audience foot tapping and clapping along.

We’ve seen productions bring the ocean to the stage before and this show does it well, the cast haul the boat around, pulling on ropes and it gives an air of the physical work the fishermen must endure, although all the while harmonising with another rousing sea shanty as the mist rises off the sea.

I enjoyed hearing the voice of Parisa Shamir in the role of Alwyn and the band themselves often led by Robert Duncan as Jago and with great vocals from James Gaddas as Jim. There’s a real variety of instruments used and notably you’ll get the beat from crates as drums, foot stomping and then metal spoons woven in between accordion and lovely violin by Hannah Cumming. The songs swelled over the waves and into the audience who really got into the beat and sang along with some of the songs. There are a few musical jokes in there, not least about the Wellerman song now perhaps best known on TikTok.

The script is full of gags between the more dramatic moments and they are quickly and drily delivered at a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it speed. Many of these are from the sharp character Maggie, played by Susan Penhaligon – and there’s a true Cornish name bringing authenticity to the role and the accent. Many of the jokes are right up to date though the story dates back to 2010 when the original vocalists signed their newsworthy record deal.

I really enjoyed the on-stage band and all of the Fisherman’s Friends ensemble pieces, their voices were quite fantastic to listen to and the audience are soon reminded how and why this group came to release an album in the first place. It’s a wonderful sound.

I always like to remind audience members that Sheffield Theatres have an arrangement with Q Park (or the Cheesegrater as we know it locally) and you can benefit from discount parking by picking up a ticket at the box office.

The show is on from Tuesday 7th February – Saturday 11th February 2023.

Tickets cost from £15.00 to £55.50, though there aren’t many left so you might want to book quickly if you want to see the show.

You can buy tickets here or call the box office on 0114 2496000.

Rating: 5/5