In 1795 and 1805, Park led two expeditions to West Africa to chart the River Niger and investigate tales of vast gold wealth. Read more …
Park died on the 2nd expedition, along with nearly all of his party. His journal survived. The play is a tragi-comic retelling of the story, with the 18th century figure of Park interacting with two young men from today. As the story moves towards its latter stages, the folly of Park’s project, its development into an ever more crazy and violent colonial adventure is exposed. A rip-roaring entertainment and a salutary story. |
If the cartoon style of this production often fails to capture the full significance of the subject, Zajac still handles these final scenes with an emotional weight and energy that leaves a deep impression on the audience.
It is a bit disappointing that the female characters are reduced to pouting and eyelash-batting in between bouts of sobbing. Overall, however, this is an entertaining yarn that covers a lot of ground while making some bold and inventive staging choices.
On Tour, from Monday August 29, 2016, until Sunday September 25, 2016.