This was a show about this guy who gets a sudden flash of inspiration to walk all the way from Kingsbridge, a market town in Devon, to Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, because he received a letter from a former colleague from some years ago who is now in a hospice (in Berwick, obviously). Curiously, however, it was not a sponsored walk for charitable causes, but simply a personal decision, made by Harold Fry (Mark Addy), too British and too stubborn to turn back, despite a lack of suitable footwear or, initially at least, as much as a map. Even more curiously, this was the narrative basis of what could well be one of the best new British musicals of recent years.
It is only a ‘pilgrimage’ because other people made it so, muscling in, in an era of ubiquitous mobile telephony and social media. Harold, sometimes called ‘Mr Fry’ though he seemed more comfortable with ‘Harold’, so I’ll stick with that, was happy to tell his story about what he is doing and why he is doing it to anyone who cared to listen. He eventually finds himself talking to an ‘influencer’, boasting about how many followers she has on Instagram, and encouraging (with success) Harold to pose for a photo. Of course, it naturally follows that Harold, newly retired, doesn’t use Instagram, so it’s only when his wife Maureen (a hugely likeable Jenna Russell) hears about it from socials-savvy neighbour Rex (Ralph Birtwell) that Harold in turn, via a telephone call, discovers word has spread about his journey.
A fleeting moment when Harold is sworn at for being in the way, even though he probably wasn’t, was in keeping with my own experiences of walking almost any distance – except, ironically enough, in Chichester, where a portion of the walking route between the railway station and the theatre is pedestrianised. I’m afraid I was less able to identify with the ‘kindness of strangers’, to borrow a phrase from the Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire, which Harold experienced very often. No matter: suspension of disbelief dictates there are indeed good people in the world, and if the end result is a feel-good musical in a world with so much sorrow and strife, far be it from me to protest too much.
The idea, which (sort of) originates in a character named only as Garage Girl (Sharon Rose), because she works in one of those petrol stations that doubles up as a mini-supermarket (these days, that would be more or less all of them), of the power of positivity as inspiration to achieve something extremely challenging, manifests itself in miscellaneous ways as Harold makes his way through the various counties of England. This is all staged remarkably well, with set and props pushed and pulled (largely on wheels) at lightning speed. Some equally brisk costume changes occasionally leave the audience gasping with delight.
This production goes for dog puppetry rather than actual dogs, which may disappoint some, but it allows full control over when and how loud the barks are. Timo Tatzber does an excellent job at both puppetry and voice, both of which are undoubtedly dog-like. Jack Wolfe as The Balladeer (and also somebody else quite central to the plot, but let’s not give too much away) demonstrates some actor-musicianship and a charming stage presence. A variety of musical styles are deployed, despite a lengthy article in the show’s programme about folk music, ranging from ballads to rousing gospel-style numbers – I loved the mixture of tempos and melodies.
As the novel by Rachel Joyce on which this production was based was available to purchase at the theatre, I bought a copy and managed to plough through a good chunk of it on the train back to London. It’s one of those unputdownable books (to the point where I was a bit miffed the return journey was delay-free), and the musical adaptation is incredibly faithful to the book. Alas, before I’d even arrived in Chichester, the entire run of this production was sold out. I can only hope it has another life as it deserves to be seen by as wide an audience as feasible. A delightfully engaging show, I’d happily see it all over again… if only I could buy a ticket!
Review by Chris Omaweng
Harold Fry – grey, tired and lonely – receives a letter from an old friend and heads out to post his reply. And keeps walking. From South Devon to Berwick upon Tweed. Leaving his bewildered wife Maureen behind.
Because Harold is trying to make up for lost time, confront the ghosts in his past, and – perhaps – keep someone alive.
As word spreads of his unlikely pilgrimage, a whole company of lost souls join him on his quest. And the horizons for both Harold and Maureen open wider than they could ever have imagined.
The Balladeer – Jack Wolfe
Maureen Fry – Jenna Russell
Harold Fry – Mark Addy
Rex / Ensemble – Ralph Birtwell
Garage Girl / Kate – Sharon Rose
Sister Philomena / Martina – Madeleine Worrall
Queenie Hennessy / Farmer’s Wife – Amy Booth-Steel
Silver-Haired Gentleman / Mr Napier – Don Gallagher
Wilf – Tarinn Callender
Dog – Timo Tatzber
Rich – Ben Redfern
Ensemble – Jacqueline Hughes, Nell Martin, Anu Ogunmenfun
Based on the novel by Rachel Joyce
Book by Rachel Joyce
Music and Lyrics by Passenger
Director – Katy Rudd
Designer – Samuel Wyer
Choreographer – Tom Jackson Greaves
Arranger, Orchestrator and Additional Music – Jeremy Holland-Smiht
Musical Supervisor and Additional Music – Phil Bateman
Lighting Designer – Paule Constable
Sound Designers – Ian Dickinson and Gareth Tucker for Autograph
Musical Director – Chris Poon
Video Designer – Ash J Woodward
Casting Director – Anna Cooper CDG
THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY
Minerva Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre
5 May to 14 June 2025
