The Ferry, The Dog, & The Fading Folk ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Jack Stevens
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Jules is on a ferry. There she meets an old man and his dog. The three set out to climb a hill together and everything is fine until a storm takes them down a whole other journey. What starts as a day trip to the Isle of Arran spirals into a chaotic odyssey through grief, lust and lore - navigating a giant with a taste for salted grief / faeries who dance you through the night / and shadows of old stories that lure you in with their song. This is not a story about healing; it’s about running away into chaos, seeking the ones we’ve lost, losing yourself in the process. And finding out that it’s not about that / that you’re not that lost anyway / that you were just being a bit dramatic / that it’s okay to be the person who’s left / that even though it looks good and feels good, it still might want to eat you.
And choosing not to die-
Wait, no.
To live.
Katie Jackson’s direction feels confident and assured, especially for a piece that leans so heavily into surrealism. There’s a strong sense that she knows exactly what story she wants to tell, even when the script itself occasionally drifts off into the mist. The pacing holds things together well for the most part, and there’s a nice balance between the grounded, human moments and the more abstract sequences. That said, in some of the more fantastical sections, a bit more shaping or distinction might have helped guide the audience through the narrative fog.
The lighting design is slick and well judged throughout. Cue transitions are clean, precise, and do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to shifting between worlds. It supports the tone without overwhelming it, stepping forward when needed and pulling back at just the right moments. A strong and reliable design that helps anchor the piece.
Cecilia Thoden van Velzen’s sound design is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, having live musicians in the space is a real treat, it adds texture, atmosphere, and a sense of immediacy that suits the show’s folk inspired world. On the other hand, there are moments where the balance tips a little too far, and key lines and moments get lost under the music, which is frustrating when you’re trying to follow an already layered narrative.
That said, the musicians themselves are fantastic. The harp brings a real delicacy and emotional depth to the soundscape, and honestly deserves a shout out for having possibly the most well behaved dog in theatre history. The violin is a beautiful touch and equally impressive, fully immersed in the rhythm of the piece, with a brilliantly executed seagull moment that’s as clever as it is unexpected. There’s a lot of inventive, playful detail here.
The book by Amber Frances and Odhran Thomson is full of heart, humour, and genuinely lovely ideas. It sets off on a strong footing, with a clear emotional core and a compelling sense of voice. However, as the story moves further into its mythical and surreal elements, things become a little harder to track. At times, it’s difficult to tell exactly where we are, both physically and emotionally, which leads to certain moments feeling a bit random or disconnected. With this kind of storytelling, clarity is key, and a bit more grounding or signposting would go a long way.
Amber Frances delivers a captivating and emotionally rich performance, effortlessly shifting between characters while giving each one a distinct identity. There’s a real charisma to her stage presence, the kind that makes you lean in even when the narrative gets a little murky. She handles the tonal shifts with ease, balancing humour and vulnerability, and carries the show with confidence from start to finish. It’s a performance full of nuance, warmth, and genuine connection.
The Ferry, The Dog, & The Fading Folk is an imaginative and heartfelt piece that doesn’t quite land every step of its ambitious journey, but it’s certainly an interesting trip to be on. With strong direction, inventive live music, and a standout central performance from Amber Frances, there’s plenty to enjoy, even if the storytelling occasionally drifts into slightly confusing territory. A bit more clarity would help anchor its more surreal elements, but its charm, humour, and emotional sincerity still shine through.
Grab your tickets here before the ferry sails ⛴️
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