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Andrew McClelland's Somewhat Accurate History of Pirates Andrew McClelland The Trapeze Lounge - Garden of Unearthly Delights Until Sun 14 March "Arrr, she be a rum fine seadog." Translation from Pirate Tongue: The Somewhat Accurate History of Pirates is simply magnificent, full of pathos, humour, mystery, sun drenched islands and a little bit of romance. McClelland draws upon the rich and myth conceived history of pirates and delivers a show that is entertaining, informative and fascinating. Piracy is one of those areas in which truth is stranger than fiction. Interesting tidbits such as the existence of Puritan pirates ('take me Watchtower or I'll run you thru') are thrown up, mixed with the production of everyday pirate myths and then let to settle alongside moments of quirky comedy. Tracing the lineage of pirates from the Big Bang to Blackbeard to the Village People (complete with their own blood curdling sea shanty In the Navy) is just such a case. The show is full of one-liners, action filled yarns and infectious enthusiasm for the subject matter. McClelland debunks the universally accepted myths of pirates; it wasn't all peglegs, parrots and plunder: more syphilis, short lives and scurvy. He recreates the life and times of Henry Morgan (who blew his own ship up post Portobello plundering party killing 494 of his nearest and dearest crew) to Mary Reed and Anne Bonney and piracy of the present. The show is structured like a University lecture with McClelland as the eccentric enthusiastic professor. His portrayal of this is faultless right down to the wild gesticulations and bad brown vest. He uses video projection as well as caricatures to explain some of the more confusing parts of piracy; the props also enable the audience to become part of the show as students, castles or ships. Our lecturer was right when he described this show as a piratical tour de force. 'The Somewhat Accurate History' is quirky, filled with fascinating characters and facts and one that must be seen and heard to be fully appreciated. This exploration of one man's obsession is delightful and a show that should not be missed. |
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