CROW

Devised by Jeremy Sher

Crow is a theatre piece for one actor about the blurred line between hope and delusion.Intensive movement combines with text, layered sound, projection and 1,200 feet of ropeto portray this harrowing tale.

Based on a true story: in 1969, British inventor Donald Crowhurst attempted a record-breaking solo circumnavigation of the globe in his trimaran sailboat. Months later, all that was found was his empty craft ghosting through the North Atlantic. On board was his meticulous logbook: a schizophrenic collection of both true and deceptive coordinates, posturing heroics, confessions to God and lunatic ramblings about mercy, hope, “the game” and his family.

What separates hope from delusion? At what point does determination become mania? In an era with no unnamed places, where does the explorer plant his flag? In a never-give-up society, how can one honorably do so?

To explore the conflicted landscape of Crowhurst’s mind, choreographed gesture and movement is juxtaposed with various text treatments: the scientific explanation, the sales pitch, romantic wooing, lunatic rambling, lofty poetry and quotidian dialogue. A series of ropes, constantly reconfigured into boat, back yard, tinkerer’s garage, meeting room and bedroom will provide a continually shifting set. Actual physical challenges of creating the environment, of rigging new rope configurations and changing the set in front of the audience – these will catalyze Crowhurst’s emotional swings along his epic journey.

This is an ensemble piece written for a single actor. He interacts with rope of course, but also with sound, with projection and with the audience. It’s a very dynamic representation of Donald Crowhurst’s journey. It’s physical, intellectual, spiritual, theatrical.