Review: On Some Far Shore (Michael Pilch Studio)

When I received an invite from Cross Keys Productions to review a new musical, I was thrilled. It’s no secret that I love musicals but seeing one that is still in development is a treat in itself. Going along to Michael Pilch Studio for the first time was an added bonus.

On Some Far Shore has been written by Louis Benneyworth, currently a final year student. The fact I got to see it while the city was full of other students celebrating the end of their exams, is something I have so much respect for.

The show begins the night before Euan’s mother’s funeral. Euan is agonising over the eulogy he needs to write while his girlfriend, Isla, wants to help. Yet they both have other things on their mind causing tension.  Through a series of flashbacks we see their relationship as it has developed and also learn about Euan’s childhood, and his mum’s connection with them both in more detail.

There are some interesting creative elements used in this show from puppetry to shadow work. These add visual interest to the set, which is minimal yet effective. A wooden step ladder sits centre stage and a box which is used as both a table and seat are the main focal points of the set.

The three performers on stage work really well together. Thomas Perry as Euan was very convincing in how stressed he was about current and recent events. One moment of frustration in particular demonstrated exactly frustrated he was with clarity. Nicole Palka as Helen, Euan’s mum, had a challenge playing someone older and perhaps judged a bit unfairly by the younger generation, whilst they both still loved her. Katie Gill’s Isla, Euan’s girlfriend, was an interesting character who kept a lot inside and this was portrayed well. Information was slowly shared during the performance so you understand each of the characters more as time goes on. The vocals for all 3 also seemed to improve as the show went on, I suspect due to confidence growing as the production unfolded.

Whilst it is very clear that Cross Keys Productions work as a tight unit and everyone involved has put in a lot of time and effort during a busy period of student life (how do they do this?!) there are two absolute highlights in this show for me, and they are the music and lyrics. In fact, it felt completely alien to me to not applaud every song. I fully suspect this may happen in other locations.  In an interview with The Oxford Student here, it became clear that this is Louis Benneyworth’s first musical and this, to me is very exciting, as I am keen to see both how this show develops, and what he creates next.

The underscoring was basic but beautiful. As I listened, I could imagine how it would sound if orchestrations were added in. The lyrics were also powerful.  Two highlights for me were when Isla and Euan were singing a duet about half way through the show, whilst facing away from each other on the stepladder. The harmonies there were gorgeous.  Another song later in the show sung by Helen was devastating. There may have been tears.

Katie Gill, Thomas Perry and Nicole Palka - during an enthusiastic standing ovation

There is still work to be done, but as it stands this show is full of intense emotions, beautiful music and I am very interested to see how it develops, and also really hope this is not the last musical penned by Louis Bennyworth.

On Some Far Shore has potential to develop into something really special.

⭐⭐⭐1/2   for now but I feel this will change by the time the show gets to Edinburgh.

On Some Far Shore is going to Edinburgh Fringe from 7^th to 22^nd August, where it will be at Mint Studio at Greenside.

If you would like to see my curtain call photographs from this and other shows, please visit my Instagram.

I was gifted a ticket for this show in exchange for an honest review.