Tudor Players’ The Whitby Rebels – 9 June 2026, Library Theatre
Review by Claire Taranaski.
I don’t remember the story of The Helga Matia’s illegal voyage to the Arctic, despite being 12 at the time, so don’t know how much of Bea Roberts play is true versus fiction but what I hope is that Tudor Players production will delight the original crew and those who know one, telling their story of one of adventure, friendship and getting through it together.
After over a decade of reviewing Tudor Players, I have come to know the acting styles of the regular cast members well so, sporting an impressive beard, it was a delight to Phil Gascoyne seem to more than act but actually channel his inner Captain Jack Lammiman, a determined man on a mission whatever happens, whoever his crew is and in whatever state his boat is at. This is one of Phil’s best role’s yet and I think he would made the original Captain Jack proud.
Justin Harrison in previous Tudor Players has portrayed well a slightly exaggerated version of characters so when I saw he was playing the reverent Paul Burkitt, I thought we were in for the same, but Paul played the role naturally and thoughtfully, never entering into the stereotypes of a typical English vicar and instead making you relate and feel for him. With an equally impressive beard to Phil’s, Ross Bannister’s portray of (as Edna describes “vagabond”) Lewis Turnbull was a delight as the fond-of-drink experienced boatsman who you were never quite sure if Scouse or Irish or a combo of the both, but with charm and who definitely had an impressive voice for singing sea shanties.
The remaining two members of the motley crew were Edna Whelan played by Edwina Gascoyne and Pat Stubbs by Jan Ibberson, two women from different walks of life and difference levels of experience but both longing for adventure and by the second act the genuine friendship between the two of them shone through. Edwina also sweetly captured her character’s unrequited love for Captain Jack. One of my favourite comedic moments from the second act was when Ross did an impression of the two women and them of him.
Firmly on dry land I must praise Alex Appleton in her first ever role with Tudor Players. It takes a lot to open your first play with a company going for it with a 90s dance and talking straight to the audience, but Alex did it with confidence, attitude and fun shining through, whilst later in the play pulling off a convincing Norwegian accent that did not delve into stereotypes. I look forward to seeing more of Alex in future Tudor Players productions. And Judith Wade as Department of Transport boat inspector Captain Brenda McCawlee who seamlessly pulled off a Scottish accent and who by the final scene has slightly melted as the jobs worth inspector hinting at a caring side.
Under the direction of Joe Gascoyne-Thomson who got the best out of the cast and the script, the play was lovingly brought to life on the Library Theatre stage so much so that we felt as an audience we were on the adventure with them, from the feeling of motion sickness to cast members staying perfectly still whilst another scene took place elsewhere on stage, reminding us that you are never totally alone when on a small boa with other people.
Behind the scenes I must praise everyone involved with the set design and props, which truly captured the nautical feel and with the boat set that dominated the stage equaling the set of professional productions of the play. Laura Jex for the lighting which perfectly captured both the time of day but also the arctic sky and whoever came up with the playlist, which both made me want to go to a 90s disco during the scenes on or near the shore and book to see Fishermen Friends in concert the further the play took us out to sea.
Whether you remember the news story at the time or love the idea of going on your own adventure, are a long-time fan of Tudor Players or are just looking for a lovely evening at the theatre, Whitby Rebels is for you.
