Writer: Liam Patrick Harrison
Director: Samuel Bossman
This is a tale of everyday fisherfolk getting caught up in international drug smuggling and a possible miscarriage of justice. Isle of Wight based company Deadman have brought a lot of energy and passion to a production that explores the local story and brings it to wider prominence. They use physical theatre techniques effectively, not least to convey the tough conditions on board the Galwad-y-Mor, skippered by Jamie Green (Leigh Kelly).
Among the crew is Zoran Dresic, known as ‘Vic’ (Gintaras Lazickas), a migrant from Montenegro, his presence highlighting the reliance of the fishing industry on migrant workers. There are also some reflections on the island being part of the UK’s coastal communities, a diverse group but all suffering severe economic decline.
A container vessel from South America drops £53 million worth of cocaine into the sea and the five-man crew of the fishing boat are accused and convicted of drug smuggling. New evidence later comes to light, pursued with great tenacity by lawyer Emily Bolton (Laryssa Schoeck), but the Court of Appeal upholds the men’s convictions. Although it tends towards portraying them as victims of a miscarriage of justice, the play doesn’t offer a definitive verdict and it’s up to the audience to consider where the truth lies.
This is very much an ensemble production, which is both a strength and a weakness. Throughout the show you get a general sense of what is happening and there’s a strong dynamic between the players. Their movement is precise and scene changes are handled with flair. Styled as political theatre, the play features a fair amount of narration directly addressed to the audience. Yet for all the words declaimed with such commitment, for all the well-choreographed stage business, it’s really hard to get a hold of the story or relate to the characters. The tale is recounted in quite an oblique way; unless you read the programme beforehand you could struggle to have much idea of what’s going on.
Runs until 16 May 2026 | Image: Contributed
