A sparse set of metal poles sticking out of a wooden platform greets the audience. One man sits with his back to us behind the poles. Another man enters through the auditorium and converses with his brother who, it would seem, is in prison. This is the end of the story and what now unfolds is everything that brought them to this moment. The play the Fishermen is an adaptation of the 2013 Booker Prize shortlisted novel of the same name by Chigozie Obloma. It is produced by New Perspectives, a Company who tour original production to venues of all sizes throughout the UK.

The two actors, Michael Ajao and Valentine Olukoga, brilliantly play all the parts- the four brothers, ‘mummy’ (a particularly fine performance which adds some much needed humour) and ‘daddy, a ‘mad’ soothsayer and other parts of this small village community in Nigeria. The poles become bars, long grass, or water depending on the scene and how they are lit but they also convey the emotional barriers between brothers and family. Like the versatility of the actors the poles are also used as props, primarily fishing rods, important items in the story. The eery, sinister atmosphere created by the lighting and sound is effectively produced by Amy Mae, Lighting Designer and Adam McCready, Sound Designer.
However, I think that this is a production that would have worked better in the round, certainly at The North Wall. I wanted to get caught up more in the drama, but felt distanced partly because of the end-on staging, and also because it was sometimes difficult to decipher which brother the actors were playing, (there are four brothers). The delivery was also not always clear in this fast paced piece. There was huge expectation on this much praised, well reviewed piece, which sadly didn’t wow me as I thought it should. I would though, really like to read the book!

★★★☆☆   Karin André    29^th September 2018