Discover what is being said about the world premiere production with our review round up…
WhatsOnStage: *** “The cast is undoubtedly the production’s secret weapon: vocally outstanding and emotionally sincere. There’s not a weak link among them, and under Lisa Mathieson’s choreography, the ensemble moves with such realism that you’d swear they had sea legs. The swaying, stomping, and balancing is so convincingly executed that it truly grounds the audience in the motion of the ship, bringing a palpable sense of life aboard.”
Musical Theatre Review: *** “The musical direction by Simona Budd creates energy and the unison in ‘Make Waves’ and ‘Approaching Australia’ are highlights of the show. When combined, the company’s voices are strong, rousing and demonstrate the talent of the young cast, but the songs on occasions become repetitive and superfluous.”
The Guardian: ** “Under the direction of Tara Overfield Wilkinson, the action on the yacht feels beached, from interpersonal tensions, too briefly brushed across, to the drama of the competition. At the team’s most treacherous flashpoints in the water, the ensemble do little more than sway or pull at rigging. It’s way too tame, you never feel the danger.”
Everything Theatre: ** “There are some great songs in this show. ‘Wanted: Girl Sailors’ and ‘Approaching Australia’ stand out as rhythmically complex and a great showcase of the cast’s vocal prowess.”
All That Dazzles: ** “The songs fare slightly better, with ‘Move Forward’ a potential highlight in need of a few tweaks, and closing number ‘Make Waves’ the strongest of the lot, showing the clear talent the writers have.”
The Reviews Hub: ** 1/2 “Jack Baxter’s video design places us and the actors in the middle of the sea, and there are some handy maps, too, charting the journey of the Maiden. The stage is awash with ropes and sails, but nevertheless, there’s little adventure here. This musical is stuck in the doldrums.”
The Stage: **** “Uplifting, ambitious new musical from Mindi Dickstein, with music by Carmel Dean, captures the danger and excitement of the round-the-world yacht race.”
West End Best Friend: ** “To begin with the positives: the set design is imaginative, filled with sails, ropes and cleverly integrated video projections. The maps projected onto the stage evoke more atmosphere than the CGI ocean, with the pastel-toned costume design adding a visual flair. At the centre of the show is Chelsea Halfpenny, whose energy and enthusiasm as Tracy carries much of the production.”
Theatre Weekly: *** “It’s an easy story to get behind, though, and the audience were certainly rooting for Maiden by the end of the show (eagerly waving the miniature flags handed out by the cast). The tenacity and resilience of Edwards’ all-female crew put them in the history books, and Maiden Voyage does credit to their legacy.”
Theatre & Tonic: *** “While Maiden Voyage is not without its imperfections, it is a heartfelt and engaging new musical that deserves recognition for spotlighting a story of female empowerment and perseverance. With further refinement, this show could truly chart a course for greater success. There’s something powerful about telling true stories in a way that’s both fun and meaningful—and this show manages that.”
The Arts Desk: ** “Carmel Dean can write catchy tunes and can marshal the power of harmonies in service of emotions, but almost all the songs are sung in the soprano register as director, Tara Overfield Wilkinson, has stayed true to The Maiden’s ethos and used an (almost) all women team. So a powerful number like “Approaching Australia”, heralding survival of the ferocious Southern Ocean, sounds too much like the songs that have come before. Unlike the roiling seas, the score needs more ups and downs.”
London Theatre 1: *** ” The music, by Carmel Dean, is pleasant enough, but there is too much unison choral singing: one longs for more two or even three-part harmony and, especially, for some male voices in the ensemble! Direction is by Tara Overfield Wilkinson, who has attempted to give the show as much pace as the script will allow. Some of her choreography, especially when the crew are coping with a rough sea, is repetitive, her most imaginative moment being the “bucketography” when the yacht is taking in water, and everyone is trying to bail out as fast as possible.”
Broadway World: ** “Composer Carmel Dean and director Tara Overfield Wilson have wholeheartedly embraced the idea of a musical mostly set on the dangerous high seas. Much of the score owes something to the sea shanty tradition – lots of singing in the round here – and lush capital-R Romantic strings conjure an idea of the sea as a powerful beast outside our control (there’s even a song called “Facing the Monster”). In a relatively small black box venue, the set is a very convincing depiction of a real-life sailing ship, with a complex network of adjustable ropes which also allows the choreography to play with levels in visually exciting ways.”
Musical Manda: *** “At just under an hour and a half straight through this is an easy to watch new musical. Whilst it won’t set the stage alight, it is an enjoyable evening out and a chance to learn about this incredible feat. For many people in the audience, this will be the first that they have heard of Tracy Edwards and her tireless crew which is a real shame. It is great that shows like this are able to tell their stories to a whole new audience. With an empowering story, lovely harmonies and passionate acting this is a great show to catch this summer.”
North West End UK: *** “The scope of this story is pretty narrow despite the globality of its setting, and the writers choose to focus almost exclusively on Tracy (Chelsea Halfpenny), the crew’s young skipper and navigator. Tracy builds the team up from her personal and professional circle into a solid chorus for her sea ballads. Halfpenny is an able performer and is well supported by the surrounding cast, but she is not particularly well served by the story itself, which doesn’t go very far in exploring its characters’ emotional depths as they tow viewers into the endless blue.”
To book tickets visit: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/maiden-voyage/