A one man, multi character swashbuckling show.
From Will Harley (Radio 4/CBBC/ITV) comes Cutlass. Set during the golden age of pirateering, Captain Springsmile Jack has been caught, tried and is due to hang in the morning. However, his redemption quickly begins to unravel, revealing that this anti-hero may have more depth (and heart) than first thought.
A one-man, multi-character performance, Cutlass immediately makes use of its intimate surroundings. In a basement theatre space with exposed brickwork, a pirate-inspired soundtrack and minimal staging, the setting feels perfectly suited to the story. It is difficult to imagine the show having quite the same impact on a traditional stage; being just feet away from the action draws the audience into the world Will creates. A few drapes resembling sails are enough to transform the space, allowing Will to move seamlessly between characters and bring the story to life.
Despite the lack of props, the performance is highly visual, helped by clever and well-timed sound effects that build the atmosphere and establish each scene. Will’s pirate-inspired costume is the only visual cue needed, working effectively across the various characters he portrays.
The show is clearly well-developed and meticulously rehearsed. There were moments where, understandably, the challenge of remembering an entire script featuring multiple characters, alongside narration, led to the occasional fumbled line. However, these moments often resulted in some entertaining improvisation. In many ways, the nature of a solo performance like this means that each night may offer something slightly different, adding to the unpredictability and energy of the piece.
There was a slight dip in audience energy around the 40-minute mark, but the momentum was quickly restored as the show moved towards its conclusion. Throughout, there were genuine laugh-out-loud moments that caught the audience off guard, with nods to modern-day quirks alongside the broader humour of the pirate world. While some comedic moments did not always land as intended, this may have been partly down to a quieter audience on the night.
Alongside the comedy, there are some surprisingly touching moments, and it is clear that the world of Captain Springsmile Jack has been carefully developed. The story feels rooted in research and an appreciation for pirate folklore, rather than relying solely on the obvious tropes.
Will is a charismatic performer and a confident storyteller. When things did not go entirely to plan, he embraced the chaos rather than letting it disrupt the performance, and those brief breaks from character often added to the charm of the piece.
A fun and lively show, Cutlass feels like the kind of production that could become wonderfully unpredictable on a Friday or Saturday night, with the energy of both performer and audience feeding into the adventure.
Cutlass is on at The Glitch until 3rd August.