Kindness and Kinship on Kinnan

Islander

A young girl named Eilidh (AY-lee) wanders the Scottish coastline. She spends most of her days alone on the beach, because Eilidh is the only child left on the tiny, fictional island of Kinnan. Almost everyone else, including her own Mum, has relocated to the “Big Land,” the Scottish mainland. Eilidh cares for her Gran, a feisty old woman who enjoys joking and pranking her granddaughter. The school, the hospital and almost everything on the island have closed. Phone service and wifi is spotty, at best. There’s only one radio station on the island where the gossip and local news is shared. But Eilidh is all alone, until she chances upon a whale calf that’s tragically washed up on the shore. While trying to find someone to help the baby, the whale sadly sings to her before expiring. It’s a song that speaks of Eilidh’s kindness and a kinship between these two lost souls.

But the teenager also meets someone else on the beach. She’s young girl named Arran, who has also washed up from the sea. Arran doesn’t seem to understand Eilidh’s words, but eventually the two girls discover how to communicate and soon become friends. Based upon Scottish folklore, we learn that Arran is a magical being, similar to the shapeshifting selkie. She’s an ocean-dwelling whale shepherd. Eilidh asks Arran if she’s, “seasick,” but the girl replies that no, she’s “landsick.” Used to dwelling in the ocean with the whales that are in her charge, Arna, the beached whale calf was, in fact, one of her herd.

But this is just the beginning of this unique, exquisite and magical 90-minute musical. The multilayered story was conceived and originally directed by Amy Draper. It was developed into a play by Stewart Melton, and features a gorgeous a cappella score composed by Finn Anderson. Since its first production in 2017, “Islander” has played all over Scotland, including at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It later transferred to London and opened last year Off-Broadway, to popular and critical acclaim. Since then, this astonishingly beautiful little musical has played all over America, as well as internationally.

Only two extremely gifted, multitalented performers create all the characters in this story, as well as providing every note of music. Employing live-mixing and voice layering, the actresses use looping technology to produce an unexpected soundscape, created right before our eyes and ears. There are no musical instruments; the score totally evolves from the women’s voices and the rhythms produced by using their hands and feet. Various sound effects for the story are also made by the two talented actresses. 

Finn Anderson’s score features songs like “The Splitting of the Island,” which sets the scene musically; “There is a Whale,” and the similarly patterned, “There is a Girl.” On opening night, Lois Craig played Eilidh, and Julia Murray, portrayed Arran. These two terrific actresses are simply incredible—funny one minute, and heartbreaking the next. Through their strong, layered characterizations of 25 characters, the audience feels every element of this storytelling experience. In alternating performances, the roles are played by Stephanie MacGaraidh and Sylvie Stenson.

Performed on a basically bare-boned stage, Emma Bailey’s scenic design looks like a large bowl that turns into the Scottish island landscape, inside and on top of which the story unfolds. It also reflects the expressive lighting, designed by Simon Wilkinson. Sound designer Sam Kusnetz, working with music director and loop station sound designer Finn Anderson, help translate the auditory alchemy from the actresses to the theatergoers.

“Islander” is a gorgeous musical that should not be missed. The two actresses hold their audience tightly in their hands, from their first words to the final pulsating beat of music. Craig and Murray sing, record their voices and weave their harmonies over and around each other. In this incomparable production, the storyteller’s craft creates something that’s much bigger than a mere tale of friendship. It’s a blend of nature, folklore and humanity that leaves audiences with a delicious story about kindness and kinship.   

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 29-17 by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, in the 6th floor upstairs venue, located on Navy Pier.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling the theatre at 312-595-5600 or by going to www.chicagoshakes.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com