The story of, and about, Endurance on the Antarctic’s icy Weddell Sea.
This is a fine piece of ensemble playing, its strengths amplified by clever and creative use of lighting design and by adherence to high production values in all areas.
The moments it most approaches the magical are when the movement becomes hypnotic, when it happens apparently for its own sake. Paradoxically, a show that some will find slow and repetitive might work better if it was longer, slower and more repetitive.
Remarkable.
Exquisite.
Shackleton absolutely achieves what it set out to do; it expertly weaves the story of the expedition and the challenges faced by the men over the gruelling years around the message of humanity’s need for exploration.
While the format is beautiful, it does start to repeat itself and would maybe benefit from clearer storytelling.
Shackleton’s slowness requires a certain degree of attention from theatregoers, but generously rewards it by its visual inventiveness and talent for suggesting a story with silent actors and objects.
Shackleton addresses themes of human ambition and failure.
Tron Theatre, Glasgow from Wednesday June 14, 2017, until Saturday June 17, 2017. More info: www.tron.co.uk
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