By Graham Hiley.
It was hard to imagine how The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry could be brought to the stage – let alone turned into a musical.
And yet the hit novel and movie has been transformed into an astonishing production which has just had its world premiere at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre.
Starring Mark Addy (Full Monty, Game of Thrones) and Jenna Russell fresh from her West End triumph in Hello Dolly, it tells the story of a man who walks from Devon to Berwick to visit a dying friend.
It might not sound like the most tempting night out, but this is absolutely a must-see – that’s if you can get a ticket for this intimate venue before the run ends on June 14.
Currently there are no plans for it to move on but if this doesn’t get a West End transfer then there is no justice in the world. It is that good.
Adapted from her own novel by Rachel Joyce, this even eclipses the film whose stars Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton were a tough act to follow – and yet both Addy and Russell take it to a new level.
Addy is utterly convincing as Harold Fry as he puts One Foot In Front Of Another with pain etched across his face not just from the physical exertions but also as he deals with his demons.
Your heart breaks for him but also for his dowdy, disappointed and dismissive wife Maureen, perfectly played by Russell and never more so than when she asks: “How did this become a life that I don’t recognise?”
Although there are tough moments which leave hardly a dry eye in the house, the moving production is also joyous and uplifting thanks to the humour of the dialogue and especially the modern folk music and lyrics by top indie singer Passenger.
Virtually every song was loudly cheered with the tone ranging from powerful and poignant to happy and hilarious with You’re F*cked worth the ticket price on its own!
Sharon Rose as the Garage Girl sends shivers down the spine with Walk Upon the Water, Russell captures Maureen’s pain with Tin of Soup for One and Amy Booth-Steel lifts the mood with Such is Life.
The stellar cast also includes Tarinn Callender who was in the original West End production of Hamilton and who is excellent as Wilf especially opening the second act with My Hero Harold Fry.
And Don Gallagher, who was Jafar in Aladdin and Javert in Les Miserables, makes a triumphant return to Chichester where he starred in Crazy For You before its move to London.
At the opposite end of the age range, look out for Jack Wolfe who plays the Balladeer with porcelain fragility while Timo Tatzber has you believing his puppet dog is real.
Under the skilful direction of Katy Rudd, the production levels are top quality, from the fun of the car wash scene to the raging storm and even a vision of hell with the tight confines of the Minerva Theatre making this a truly immersive experience.
The lengthy and emotional standing ovation was truly deserved for one of the best things I have seen for a long time.
It wouldn’t quite match Harold Fry’s 500-mile trek from Devon to Berwick but by my calculations it would take about 11 hours to walk to Chichester from Southampton – and it would be worth it.
Better still, take the car… or the train… or cycle – but make sure you get there.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry runs at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre until June 14. Tickets can be booked here.
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