The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry at Minerva Theatre, Chichester Review
Mark Addy and the cast of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Photo by Manuel Harlan
Written by Rosie for Theatre & Tonic
For a full list of trigger warnings, please visit CFT’s site. There are some darker subjects that may cause distress or discomfort within this piece.
When the song in the garage ended and Harold Fry’s journey began, it was clear that Chichester Festival Theatre had struck heart-warming gold with their brand new musical. An adaptation of Rachel Joyce’s 2012 novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, with the book of the musical also penned by Joyce, Passenger makes his musical score debut in a variety of soaring songs depicting the stages of the protagonist’s journey from the south coast and through his grief. In the small Minerva Theatre, the space feels vast and full when transformed by the use of dance, set and fantastic ensemble. The highs and the lows are perfectly intertwined in a story of hope, forgiveness and love, all to a backing track of wondrous, travelling folk music.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry granted Joyce a National Book Award upon publication, depicting the story of Harold Fry (played in this production by Mark Addy) and his quest to walk from Devon to Berwick-upon-Tweed after his friend writes to him from a hospice. Harold believes that as long as he is walking, Queenie (played by Amy Booth Steele) will keep living, and thus his pilgrimage north begins. Harold leaves behind his worried wife, Maureen (Jenna Russell), but meets a variety of unusual characters along the way that help him through his quandaries with Queenie and the issues surrounding his son. In this adaptation, the ensemble of characters, headed by a mysterious narrator in the Balladeer (played by Jack Wolfe), fill the world of Harold Fry with song, carrying him through the trials and tribulations, bestowing him with knowledge and a course to reach his end goal. Joyce’s adaptation of her own book is full of heart and never wavers in the journey to get where it needs to be; the book is only made stronger with the songs by Passenger, which fit seamlessly into the travelogue.
The strength in this production is in how the cast carries each other through this material. Mark Addy’s Harold, whilst the main protagonist, is guided through the musical numbers on his journey in the same fashion as the audience, only once taking the helm of a song at the emotional climax of the piece. The ensemble cast, taking on several different characters each, breathe life into the script that leaves the room hooked from start to finish. The direction from Katy Rudd elevates the pilgrimage to fantastic heights, particularly seen in standout numbers such as Sharon Rose’s incredible act one solo, and wholesome, grounded moments such as Maureen’s song of reminiscence in act two. With the cast mostly omnipresent on stage, they are choreographed superbly to weave in and out of numbers, scenes and roles at the drop of a hat or a grin-inducing costume change. Tom Jackson Greaves’ work makes the pilgrimage feel like a dance north, guiding Harold and the audience through a world of song and the joy of living. In addition to this, the use of puppetry added even more magic to the piece, a wonderful bonus to a piece that already felt full of vigour and soul.
Having Mark Addy’s Harold Fry feel like we are walking hand-in-hand with him through the past, present and hope for the future is a great way for the narrative to fully enrapture the audience. Addy, as previously mentioned briefly, rarely sings and instead is the audience himself to these fantastical moments of music in his already surprising journey. Addy provides a warmth to Harold that leaves us rooting for his success through all the ups and downs, and despite not being a strong singer, his one solo in act two allows Addy to show off a darker moment of emotional turmoil that perfectly balances the lighter air of the journey prior; it is a moment of grounding which feels small and very real. Supporting him as his wife, Maureen, Jenna Russell acts as the voice of reason in Harold’s semi-fantastical journey North, pulling at the heartstrings with her reminiscent solos and through her own journey of acceptance of the pilgrimage. It is Jack Wolfe as the Balladeer and the incredible ensemble that really make this new work feel whole, however, with vastly differing dynamics and motivations to knock both Harold and the audience all over the place. Wolfe is no stranger to playing important, elusive characters on the stage, and he is perfectly cast in this piece as a mysterious narrator figure with an entrancing voice who is more than meets the eye. The ensemble, most notably the incredible Sharon Rose, fills the stage with joyous storytelling at every moment and never puts a foot, nor sings a note, out of place. The entire cast emits a pure glee as they perform, much in line with the touching message of the piece, and you could not ask for a better group of actors.
Whilst many may know Passenger’s music from his back catalogue of albums, as a debut piece, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry feels bright and fresh. None of the songs feel the same, and each character has a very distinct style to their songwriting that allows for each solo to stand out from the rest. Thoroughly impressed with each song, as well as the entire score on a whole, Passenger delivers an authentic, wholehearted debut as a theatrical songwriter and does not disappoint. The folk-like tone to most of the travelling songs reinforces the feel of the journey, but never leaves it feeling stale or lifeless. With a fantastic band incorporated into the piece, sometimes making their way down to the stage to play alongside the actors, and Jack Wolfe playing some guitar, too, the music never feels separate from the story. It is one and a whole with the book, and the two complement each other perfectly.
I feel incredibly excited by the entirety of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Chichester Festival Theatre have absolutely triumphed in this wondrous adaptation of Joyce’s novel, and I left the theatre with a smile on my face, running scenes through over and over in my mind. It was clear to me that every part of this show worked: the sincerity of the book, music and cast playing it all out in front of you. Something very special is happening in their tiny Minerva theatre, and my main hope is that there is a future for this piece after it concludes its run. It is a beautiful and heartfelt story that perfectly balances the hopeful musical fantasy of holding on, with the truth of our own mortality. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is one of my favourite pieces of theatre I have seen at Chichester Festival Theatre in years, and I would implore anyone looking to feel a tidal wave of feelings, but most importantly joy, to see it before it is too late.
At Minerva Theatre until 14 June 2025
★★★★★
