To Save The Sea musical | by Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company
Written and directed by Isla Cowan & Andy McGregor
Tron Theatre, Glasgow (premier)
26 September 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company are known for creating original and inventive high quality theatre productions. Their latest musical 'To Save The Sea' looks to be their most ambitious project yet, with a larger ensemble and more complex staging than I've ever seen them present.
'To Save the Sea' tells the story of a group of Greenpeace activists who take on oil giants Shell when they occupy the Brent Spar oil store in the middle of the North Sea. Shell had planned to dump the floating oil storage tank 250 km off the northwest coast of Scotland, but a group of activists from across the world decided to take action to prevent that. Based on the real events that took place in 1995, 'To Save The Sea' is the ultimate 'David and Goliath' story, and shows us how ordinary people can make a difference when they stand up for what they believe in.
Written by Isla Cowan and Andy McGregor, a Greenpeace protest from 30 years ago may seem an odd choice for a musical. But it's a true story that is genuinely exciting, with good guys and villains, tension and despair, and far-reaching environmental themes that are still very relevant today. In the hands of this remarkable production company, the story of the rusting, defunct Brent Spar oil store has been turned into a thought-provoking yet wildly fun, original piece of musical theatre.
The audience enter the auditorium and take their seats for 'To Save The Sea' to the sound of ocean waves and howling winds. As we join the Greenpeace activists on the towering Brent Spar gantry, the stage fills with smoke and the waves crash even louder. The protestors headlights peer through the haze and the hazardous conditions are instantly established. It's an impactful, atmospheric opening that sets the scene perfectly. It feels almost like immersive theatre.
Claire Halleran's set is an inspired multi-level structure, finely detailed with lights and oil drums, with plenty of scope for protestors to scale the platform above, and Shell executives and politicians to plot and scheme (and dance!) below. Chris Stuart Wilson's choreography (and chairography) is hilarious and perfectly pitched.
The direction from Isla Cowan and McGregor is wonderful; the dialogue flows easily as the cast weave between the levels and among the oil drums. There's so much to look at, this feels like a much bigger budget production. Cowan's book has been impeccably edited too: reduced from a rumoured 3 and half hours to a concise 90 minutes, the story is told completely yet without any unnecessary distractions. The single act show allows us plenty of time to become familiar with the characters and the 90 minutes flew by. I left wanting more.
The cast are all fantastic: Six veterans of Scottish theatre have been brought together with two recent graduates embarking on their first professional roles and it's impossible to tell them apart.
The superb company of eight are split into two distinct groups on stage:
Four activists and a media reporter (Kara Swinney, Katie Weir, Kaylah Copeland, Matthew McKenna and Nathan French) tell us the serious side of the tale, with melodic rock tunes and heartfelt ballads, it's clear how strongly they feel that "the sea is not a dustbin" and why they feel so moved to do something drastic about Shell's plans.
On the other side of the battle we have three powerful corporates and scientists (Ewan Somers, Helen Logan and David Rankine). Their songs and sketches are delivered via utterly genius pieces of camp comedic musical theatre. Think Operation Mincemeat, The Book of Mormon and Spamalot. The three also take on the roles of global politicians embroiled in the calamity becoming John Major, Helmut Kohl and others.
The story of 'To Save The Sea' is told by switching focus back and forth between the opposing two groups. The musical really soars when focused on the trio - every one of their songs and scenes is a knockout. But it's a testament to McGregor's extraordinary musicality that he's not only able to write such varied original songs and lyrics for the entire show but to arrange them into a singular, unbroken 90 minute piece of music is a miraculous achievement. He's the best in the business.
Although this soundtrack doesn't quite match the brilliance of Battery Park's back catalogue or the stunning anthems from Crocodile Rock for me, there are some absolute cracking songs in the mix. 'To Where I Want To Be' (performed by the powerhouse Kara Swinney) had me in tears; and 'A Problem Like Greenpeace' (sung by the nefarious Shell execs) had me in hysterics. To type the name would be to risk a spoiler, but the closing number is a stunner too.
'To Save The Sea' has everything you want from a musical: A compelling story, slick staging, a dynamic score and a talented cast. But as with all of Sleeping Warrior's productions, this musical is uniquely Scottish. We almost had a tonne of toxic chemicals dumped just off our shoreline. (How many tonnes exactly is up for debate.) If the sinking of the Brent Spar had been permitted, it may well have set a precedent for around 400 similar platforms that Shell will eventually have to scrap in the North Sea.
The battle for our seas and for our planet rages on. It's a tricky topic for a musical theatre production, and Sleeping Warrior have got the balance just right: 'To Save The Sea' is informative and entertaining, and not in the least bit preachy. You don't think you are interested in a musical about a Greenpeace protest and an oil store? Trust me: you are. Go support this brilliant company and new Scottish Writing!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
To Save The Sea is touring to 12 venues across Scotland from 25 September to 2 November 2024. Jump to tour listings
📸 production photos: Mihaela Bodlovic
To Save The Sea Cast & Creatives
Bianna Kaylah Copeland
Colin Nathan French
Karen / Scientist / Helmut Kohl Helen Logan
Karl Matthew McKenna
Rupert David Rankine
John Major / David Ewan Somers
Rachel Kara Swinney
Engel Katie Weir
BSL interpreter Karen Forbes
Writer/ Director Isla Cowan & Andy McGregor
Set & costume design Claire Halleran
Lighting Designer Simon Wilkinson
Musical Director Alan Penman
Sound Designer Fraser Milroy
Choreographer Chris Stuart Wilson
Dramaturg Debbie Hannan
Assistant Director (FST) David Hewitson
Outreach Associate Jordan Blackwood
Producer Steph Connell
To Save The Sea Tour Dates
Running time: Approx 90 minutes | Age restriction: 12+
Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Wednesday 25 (preview), Thursday 26, Friday 27 & Saturday 28 September | tron.co.uk
Perth Theatre, Perth
Tuesday 01 & Wednesday 02 October | perththeatreandconcerthall.com
Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling
Friday 04 October | macrobertartscentre.org
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Thursday 10, Friday 11 & Saturday 12 October | traverse.co.uk
The Gaiety, Ayr
Wednesday 16 October | thegaiety.co.uk
Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Friday 18 October | byretheatre.com
Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
Monday 21 & Tuesday 22 October | beaconartscentre.co.uk
Howden Park Centre, Livingstone
Thursday 24 October | howdenparkcentre.co.uk
Dundee Rep, Dundee
Saturday 26 October | dundeerep.co.uk
Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse, Cumbernauld
Monday 28 October | lanternhousearts.org
Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen
Wednesday 30 October | thetivolitheatre.com
Eden Court, Inverness
Saturday 02 November | eden-court.co.uk
To Save the Sea review, Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company, Brent Spar, Greenpeace musical, Andy McGregor, Isla Cowan
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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.
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