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A darkly entertaining slice of fun adrift on the sea.Summary
Rating
Good
It is a lovely sunny afternoon. You’re sitting down quietly enjoying your book. Then, all of a sudden, someone tries to talk to you. Ugh, people are the worst.
Sat on a ferry on the way to a funeral, a man (Joseph Lindoe) is not best pleased to have his reading interrupted by a stranger (Luke Adamson) wishing to make small talk. First, he mentions the Edgar Alan Poe tale of three men, cast adrift from a ship, who survive by eating the cabin boy named Richard Parker. He tells of the coincidence when forty years later, three men would really be cast away at sea and who survive by eating the cabin boy, also named Richard Parker. (This is entirely true and the Wikipedia article on it is fascinating!) Unsettled and unwilling to be any further part of the conversation, the first man tries to leave before the second man reveals “your name is also my name” – yes, both men are named Richard Parker.
It is coincidence that drives the second Richard Parker. He lives his life as if it is set and dictated, but he is also prepared to play his part to ensure that these events occur. He comes across as quite mad, similar to someone who has fallen down a conspiracy theory hole on the internet, making wild links between the assassinated American Presidents, Lincoln and Kennedy, some of which are on the level of each surname having seven characters. Adamson smoothly shows that his Parker is close to madness but also a true believer. Lindoe, similarly does well with his Parker, unbelieving and growing more and more unnerved by the stranger and his conversation.
Richard Parker poses questions of fate and philosophy. Was each man on that ferry for a specific reason? Is there more to a coincidence? The story moves along the path you expect given the setup, though it does this quite judiciously, leaving the audience to wonder if there really was an incident that sees the two men adrift on the sea or if the second Parker took it upon himself to arrange this situation, so as to follow his idea of his destiny and the destiny of Richard Parker?
The set is made up of simple projections of the ferry and then the sea, with just a bench for the two men. The lighting nicely projects the shape of a small boat onto the floor. It’s all that is needed really, with the cast keeping our attention enjoyably.
Left drifting alone with little food or supplies, how will the men survive? Will history and coincidence repeat? Owen Thomas’ script is smart and funny, allowing the two cast to bring this out the dark comedy around faith or destiny and coincidence, and in the seagull and shark attacks. The script also does very well to stick precisely to the rules laid out, each twist and turn makes tight sense – and not by coincidence! All in all, a hugely enjoyable evening.
Written by: Owen Thomas
Richard Parker plays at Bridge House Theatre until 6 May. Further information and bookings can be found here.
