Review – The Whitby Rebels

It’s widely said that truth is stranger than fiction, possibly even more so due to the eccentricities of the English.  This true story certainly proves this, with a fair sprinkling of British spirit thrown in for good measure.

The writer of “The Whitby Rebels”, Bea Roberts, has likened the true story of a bunch of amateur sailors setting sail to the Arctic to an Ealing Comedy and that’s certainly the feel of Paul Robinson’s stage direction.

The setting is Whitby Harbour, the summer of 1991, as a humble pleasure boat sets sail for the Arctic, crewed by “misfits, pensioners and the vicar for Egton and Grosmont”.  They were set on completing a daring mission, to erect a plaque honouring the legendary Whitby whaler and explorer Captain William Scoresby Senior on a volcanic island hundreds of miles north of Iceland.

So, with an illegal boat and untrained crew what could possibly go wrong?  No spoilers here but the voyage was far from straightforward and their exploits were at times hilarious, a sort of Dad’s Army at sea.

The play centres around the bonding of the makeshift crew and the very impressive cast of Keith Bartlett, Kieran Foster, Jacqueline King, Duncan MacInnes, Jacky Naylor and Louise Mai Newberry work brilliantly together to portray this, bringing this wonderful story to life.

The use of 90s music worked well, as did a great set, highly effective lighting and inventive direction.

Tony Bates

At the Stephen Joseph Theatre until November 2nd