Based on the book by Rachel Joyce The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry takes an ordinary and unremarkable man Harold Fry played by Mark Addy who out of the blue receives a letter from an old work colleague from twenty odd years ago who is dying in a hospice in Berwick Upon Tweed. A good five hundred miles away from his home in Devon.
After writing a reply he leaves the house to post his reply to Queenie (Maggie Service). However, as he reaches the post box he decides to walk to the next one, after all it is a nice day. Then onto the next mail box until he just keeps walking.
Jenna Russell in the role of Maureen Fry is confused by her husband’s behaviour and can’t understand why he wants to walk to see Queenie, when he “usually only walks to the car”.
Noah Mullins in the role of The Balladeer leads the Musical singing the fabulous musical Folk Music score written by Passenger musician and songwriter Mike Rosenberg.
The star of the show is the incredible puppetry dog who first joins Fry as he starts his walk. Where he comes from and what he’s called remains a mystery.
As Harold walks on he encounters many different people along the route that he would never have passed the time of day with before the Garage Girl (Sharon Rose), Martina (Madeleine Worrall), the doctor from Bratislava whose lack of the correct work visa means she can only have cleaning jobs and not practice as a Doctor. Then there is the station cafe encounter with the “silver-haired gentleman” (Don Gallagher) who wants to find the courage to buy a gift for the young man that he has fallen in love with but fears rejection.
Everybody has a story when you take the time to listen to them and you never know the demons or trauma that anyone is carrying inside them. Harold Fry has spent many years suppressing his emotions. Yet, walking and be at one with the outside world he allows himself to feel and finally speak out about his darkest hurt and anger.
The humbling thing about Harold Fry’s character is that he doesn’t think he is doing anything remarkable. He is driven on by his desire to see Queenie and put the record straight. I have watched the film of the same title several times and I found that this part is explained more clearly in the film and makes more sense.
I can highly recommend catching this fantastic production while it’s running at The Royal Haymarket Theatre. My only advice is to take some tissues, there’s a good chance you are going to need them.
For more information about The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry please use the link below.
Five Stars.
Photo credit Tristram Kenton.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
Leave a comment