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To Save the Sea

Tron Theatre, Glasgow

Four stars

 

When Greenpeace activists occupied the Shell UK owned decommissioned Brent Spar oil store off the coast of Shetland in 1995 to prevent it being sunk in the North Sea, little did anyone know that thirty years later it would inspire a new musical. This is exactly what the  Sleeping Warrior company have done, however, transforming the Brent Spar story into a rousing radio friendly pop drama that chimes with the times while remaining easy on the ear. 

 

Writer/directors Andy McGregor and Isla Cowan set out their store on Brent Spar itself, brought to life by designer Claire Halleran as an iron and steel arena the Greenpeace activists make their own. The group are a motley mix of idealism and experience as epitomised by Matthew McKenna’s de facto leader Karl and Katie Weir’s hard liner Engel, with enthusiastic new recruits Colin, played by Nathan French, and Kara Swinney’s young mum Rachel also in tow. As personal and political commitments are tested and serious mistakes made, all this is framed by Kaylah Copeland’s action girl journalist Brianna. 

 

Back at Shell UK, meanwhile, the executives led by Helen Logan and David Rankine’s tellingly named Karen and Rupert, are aghast. The politicians, alas, are not for turning in a series of office bound routines that at one point sees then prime minister John Major, embodied by Ewan Somers in suitably grey fashion, literally caught with his pants down. Beyond such Spitting Image style satire, it is the activists who are the show’s emotional centre, as they go from rabble-rousing intent to disillusionment to eventual victory. 

 

Cowan and McGregor’s musical numbers ride the story’s stormy seas, with the entire cast delivering the songs with heart and soul. While the events surrounding Brent Spar seemed like the tide was turning, a brief update on how the big companies are dealing with protests today suggests otherwise. One way or another, it seems, you can be sure of Shell. 


The Herald, September 30th 2024

 

Ends

 

 

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