Shantify

Underbelly Boulevard

Shantify has anchored down at the Underbelly Boulevard, and 6 huge voices turn your favourite songs into sea shanties. It's a toe-tapping show, but it lacks a compelling story.

Incredible energy, voices fill the theatre, and the audience is ready for a wave of theatre. However, the story is not quite the tidal wave the audience craves. The cast performs at 110% to compensate for the fragmented storyline, and that's what keeps the audience engaged with the show. It is a lot of fun and is something a bit different, with a little 'Choir of Man' feel.

'Shantify' is a musical filled with sea-related puns, top hits turned into shanties, energetic numbers and a story about following your passion. The characters jump in and out of the plot. But the story is more of a fragmented zig-zag than a line. The 6 characters have lived in their seaside town all their lives, and everyone lives in each other's pockets. They work on the family boat, and in the evenings they sing sea shanties in their local pub. The older brother, played by Joe Bishop, has returned to the seaside town after moving to the big city, and the group aren't sure if he has the skills to be a part of the sea shanty acapella group anymore. Jack Whittle's character wants to live his sea Shanty dreams and take part in the sea shanty version of Britain's Got Talent, but can he follow his dreams? He can't leave the family boat, can he? It's a comical piece that will have you in knots.

One area of this show that gives it charm is the cast, what a brilliant group of performers and a great bond they have on stage. The whole cast brings bounds of energy, and they sound so beautiful. There was not one note that felt out of place, and each character added something different to the group. There is one moment of audience participation, where one of the cast members brings an audience member on stage. They all take it in turns to sing to them; this is such a hilarious moment; it also feels very similar to 'Choir of Man' in terms of serenading the audience member. Whilst each cast member brings something a little different, and this moment is a bit of fun, just because it is done once, it feels a little out of place from the rest of the show. That being said, it is a very fun moment; it would just be more interesting to see this moment done a little differently, so it doesn't drag, for both the on-stage audience member and the rest of the audience. Michael Riseley was a great Shantify member; he brought this brilliant nautical energy and has a voice that fits the sea shanties perfectly. He was a standout character and gave some incredible solo moments. Along with Jack Whittle, who leads the story, he has heaps of energy, charm and great comic timing. He keeps the show exciting and as engaging as he can make it. The whole cast gives so much to their characters, and it would be great to get to know them a little more, where the group came from and a closer look at their characters. There is no opportunity in the story for compelling and natural character development.

Visually, there is not much to keep the audience engaged; the staging is minimal, and the chests on stage are the only thing that reminds the audience of the nautical, seaside setting. There are only a few props for the cast to use as well, but you do want to see a bit more. There is a really clever moment when the cast moves the items on stage to create the image of them on the family ship. This is a great moment, and the lighting by Richard Williamson in this moment particularly is really interesting. It creates the weather, enhances the drama and adds a little tension in this moment, another element you want to see a little more of. There is a lack of scenes set on the family boat, considering it's such a huge part of the characters' lives and what brings the group closer, because they work on the boat together and have created this bond from the work they do together on the boat. It inspires their sea shanties. There's just so much space for some really beautiful sea-inspired images on stage, and potential for some strong scenes showing how the family boat brings the characters together.

This is a show filled with fun. If you want to escape the busy city and relax by the sea for a couple of hours, this is the show for you! It's best served with a cider. The songs will have you tapping away, and it's worth watching. Get yourself to the Underbelly Boulevard in Soho for this show, you won't regret it! The energy is unreal.