Sydney Opera House

Floating might be the ultimate feel-good show.

The production, which started life thirteen long years ago on Anglesey, is slowly but surely touring the world, with the Edinburgh Festival, New York and now the Barbican in London under its belt.

The tall tale related by Hugh Hughes with the assistance of his versatile sidekick, Sioned Rowlands somehow got missed by the papers. On 1st April, 1982, as Hughes was about to follow so many of his countrymen away from the Isle of Anglesey forever, the strangest thing happened.

As his foot was raised to step on to the Menai Bridge, the structure collapsed and the island floated off into the Atlantic. As he points out, the headlines were dominated by Mrs Thatcher talking bellicosely about The Falklands War and as a result, the story disappeared.

This is a real story of derring-do, commencing as a sadistic school teacher with overtones of Hitler takes control of the floating 80,000 strong population and creates a giant sailing vessel out of Anglesey.

At various times, it is projected by wind, whales and birds as it makes its way in a pattern through the Atlantic and Arctic that looks uncannily like the new Olympic logo.

The many high points include the moment when Hugh decides to swim for it. While talking in his usual enthusiastic but relaxed style, donning his fruity flotation device and greasing himself up with vaseline, he almost drowns poor Sioned, who is creating the sound effects face down in a bowl of water.

The reason why Floating works so well is a combination of remarkable old-fashioned innocence and great humour. The props, collected over a thirteen year period, support the action with a combination of 1970s wrestling mags, a slide show, PowerPoint and an awful lot of running about breathlessly.

By the end, the audience was laughing enthusiastically and the final applause exceeded all reasonable bounds.

This show has already won a Total Theatre Award and given Shôn Dale-Jones a Stage nomination in Edinburgh. Take this opportunity to see a consummate team at work.

(Article from The British Theatre Guide)