The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Theatre Royal Haymarket
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Journeys into Hearts
The Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, with music and lyrics by English folk singer Passenger, has officially made its journey to the West End. The musical, based on Rachel Joyce’s novel of the same name, follows the story of an aging man named Harold Fry who is living a monotonous life alongside his wife Maureen when an unexpected letter arrives in the mail. The letter is from his old colleague-turned-friend, Queenie Hennessey, whom he’s long since lost touch with. Upon reading the letter and learning Queenie is in hospice care, Harold struggles to write a response, ultimately finding words alone are inadequate to express his feelings. Without realizing what he’s doing, he begins to walk to the nearest post office to return his letter, then to the next, and so on until he finds himself walking 500 miles across England to speak to Queenie in person.
Over the course of his pilgrimage, Harold, who is expertly portrayed by stage and screen star Mark Addy, encounters an unlikely bunch of characters. From a young garage worker to a playful dog (masterfully puppeteered by Timo Tatzber), each character he meets carries their own story for Harold to listen to, relate with, and learn from. Throughout his trek, Harold transforms from an avoidant, self-critical old man into an unlikely heroine as Addy gives a strikingly raw performance. He is earnest and remarkably human, demonstrating a clear understanding of his character’s journey – both physically and emotionally.
The incredibly talented Jenna Russell depicts Harold’s wife, Maureen Fry. While Harold is off on his grand adventure, Maureen is on an exploration of her own. Having been abruptly left by her husband, she must face repressed emotions about her life, her marriage, and her mistakes. Russell is remarkable, providing nuanced acting and affecting vocals.
While the show offers exceptional leading performances from both Addy and Russell, much of the show’s success truly lies in the versatile ensemble cast. This effort is spearheaded by Noah Mullins as the Balladeer, who opens the show with the beautiful folk song “Rise Up” and proceeds to symbolically join Harold throughout his journey. Mullins’s dubious and haunting presence throughout the story serves to represent the repressed and regretful moments of Harold’s past that he is forced to reconcile with along the way. Mullins is joined by an equally capable cast who seamlessly transition from one character to the next, the physical embodiments of Harold’s trek. Many of them are offering dynamic, fully realized characters despite only having a few minutes of on-stage interaction.
The show’s technical elements are equally extraordinary. Samuel Wyer’s design is innovative, and Tom Jackson Greaves’s choreography is effective. Convincing audiences that a character has traveled the span of an entire country without leaving a 30-foot stage is no easy task, but through repurposed set-pieces and fluid interpretive dance, the creative team manages to transport us with ease. With such visually stunning design, it is hard not to feel as though you are on this walk with Harold.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a refreshing reminder of the true magic original and imaginative theatre can bring. It is a bittersweet, inspiring story of human connection that deserves to be seen.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is playing at Theatre Royal Haymarket in London until April 18th.
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Reviewer: Jordyn Murray