At Sea at Alphabetti Theatre Review
Written by Stacy for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Created by Life and Limb Puppets, in association with Alphabetti Theatre, At Sea is theatre for young audiences at its finest. The narrative tells the story of a lone sailor searching for their lost Heart Compass, and though it is wordless, the storytelling is exceptionally vivid, clear and moving. The puppetry, the shifting projections and the original atmospheric score combine to create a world that feels playful and mesmerising, with a touch of eeriness sitting just on the periphery. The absence of dialogue never once felt limited; instead, I found myself watching intently for the smallest of details, such as the way the puppet’s shoulders slumped in defeat, or how a simple light rippled across the stage like a current tugging us further into the ocean.
The Siren’s Lair was the scene that lingered with me most. With only shadows and movement, the stage became dark and hypnotic. You could feel the atmosphere in the audience change as the sailor stumbled through it and this collective silence in the theatre told that we were all committed to going on this wordless journey together. Later, inside the belly of a sea beast, the mood shifted once again. This created a claustrophobic, pulsing, almost dreamlike rhythm to the piece, before the tension finally broke in the show’s closing moments, when the Heart Compass was found and lit up the stage. That collective exhale from the audience spoke volumes.
What impressed me the most was how accessible the piece felt. With no dialogue, it belonged to everyone in the room, both children and adults alike. The show doesn’t ask you to follow words, it asks you to feel, and that's what makes this piece uniquely open in its generosity. I loved how much emotion had been conjured through such subtle means. At Sea doesn’t rely on spectacle, but on craft, care, and trust in its audience. As the compass glowed, I caught myself smiling at how invested I was in the power of storytelling - through a gentle narrative about loss, hope and finding your way again - the magic of children's theatre proved once again it's importance as a transformative form of theatre.
At Sea plays at Alphabetti Theatre until 23 August
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
